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SWD in the Juvenile Justice Setting - Legislative Report

Report detailing the findings and recommendations of the workgroup that examined current law and practices regarding the education of students with disabilities (SWD) enrolled in county juvenile court schools and county community schools.

California Department of Education
Report to the California State Legislature:
Students with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice Setting

Executive Summary

This report is required by the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill, Senate Bill 114, Chapter 48, Section 516. California Education Code (EC) Section 48650 was added immediately following EC Section 48649 and reads:

  • (1) The Superintendent shall convene a workgroup on meeting the needs of pupils with disabilities who enroll in juvenile court schools [JCS] operated by county offices of education.

  • (2) The workgroup shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of county offices of education, school districts, charter schools, county probation, county behavioral health, Special Education Local Plan Areas, regional centers, former pupils of county JCSs and county community schools [CCS], staff from the appropriate fiscal subcommittees and policy committees of the Legislature, staff from the State Board, and relevant state and national JCS policy experts.

  • (3) The workgroup shall examine existing law and current practices regarding the education of pupils with disabilities enrolled in county JCSs and CCS and make recommendations on improvements specific to the county JCS setting.

Of the funds appropriated in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, $350,000 was made available for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to designate Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools as the contractor to convene a workgroup. The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Students with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice Setting Legislative Report provides a detailed summary of the workgroup findings that were collected through monthly meetings and onsite empathy interviews at juvenile court schools across California. The findings recommend that the state improve information reporting systems; address persistent shortages of qualified special education staff, paraprofessionals, and probation officers, particularly in rural areas; support family involvement; and create a more cohesive communication infrastructure to reduce duplication of efforts and minimize confusion to support students transferring to and from JCSs.

This report is available on the California Department of Education, Special Education Policies and Initiatives web page. If you have any questions regarding this report or would like to request a hard copy, please contact Julie Miller, Education Programs Consultant, Special Education Division, at 916-323-2616 or JMiller@cde.ca.gov.

Students with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice Setting Legislative Report (DOCX)

Questions: Julie Miller | JMiller@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3637 
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
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