Quality Assurance Process
Resources to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.Compliance and Improvement Monitoring Process
At the core of the monitoring framework is the Compliance and Improvement Monitoring (CIM) process. The CIM is a series of activities aimed to assist local educational agencies in identifying their issues and developing an integrated plan to address them.
California Annual Performance Reports
Describes the State's progress or slippage in meeting the measurable and rigorous targets established in the State Performance Plan (SPP); and any revisions to the State's targets, improvement activities or resources in the SPP and justifications for the revisions.
California State Performance Plan (SPP)
SPP - 2011 (DOC; 2MB; Posted 02-Jan-2013)
Seven year plan for special education required by IDEA 04
SPP - 2010 (DOC; 2MB; Revised 07-May-2012) Revisions to Indicator 4 (Suspension and Expulsion), Indicator 9 (Disproportionality Overall), and Indicator 10 (Disproportionality by Disability)
SPP - 2009 (DOC; Posted 21-Oct-2009) Revisions to Indicator #7 (Preschool Assessment)
SPP - 2008 (DOC; Posted 01-Feb 2008)
Revisions to Indicator #7 (Preschool Assessment) and Indicator #14 (Post School Outcomes)
SPP - 2007 (DOC; Revised 01-Feb-2007)
Six year plan for special education required by IDEA 04
- United States Department Of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Response Letter (DOC; Posted 15-Jun-2007)
- United States Department Of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Response Table (DOC; Posted 15-Jun-2007)
Focused Monitoring Technical Assistance Consultant Assignments by Region
Special Education Division consultant assignments by County
Disproportionality in California Public Schools
Impacts on Special Education including information and resources on disproportionate representation by race and ethnicity of students receiving special education services.
Constituent’s Office
The Constituent’s Office, within the Special Education Division of the California Department of Education, is dedicated to enhancing communications and support for families. At the California Department of Education, we are committed to ensuring that every family feels heard, valued, and supported. Constituent Office staff are available to take your call and help you with any questions you may have, or refer you to appropriate department level staff, if necessary.
To speak to someone in the Constituent’s Office please call, 800-926-0648, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside those hours, calls will go to a voicemail. Please leave a message and your call will be returned within 24 hours.
The Constituent’s Office may also be reached by email at SEDCO@cde.ca.gov.
Constituent Office Support Services
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Resolve Disputes Amicably with Alternative Dispute Resolution
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
The California Special Education Department's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process provides informal methods to resolve disputes concerning a student's free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Parents and school districts can use this process to address concerns collaboratively, helping to avoid legal conflicts. This approach prioritizes the student's needs and fosters positive relationships essential for delivering effective special education services.
ADR includes various techniques like mediation, arbitration, and negotiation, which assist in resolving conflicts privately, efficiently, and cost-effectively without going to court.
At the California Department of Education, we recognize that conflicts are inevitable. We advocate for resolving these disputes constructively through ADR, which offers a quicker, more affordable, and confidential alternative to formal complaints.
Benefits of ADR
- Quick Resolution: Settle disputes faster than traditional legal processes.
- Cost-Effective: Save time and money with ADR methods.
- Confidential: Protect your privacy and relationships.
- Collaborative: Foster cooperation and mutual understanding.
- Preserve Relationships: Maintain positive connections within the community.
By opting for ADR, we can create a harmonious and supportive environment for everyone. Let’s work together to resolve conflicts constructively and build a stronger community. ADR meetings can be held by a neutral facilitator (specifically trained in the ADR process) from the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), or by an impartial facilitator with one of our ADR partners, which includes Pathways to Partnership (P2P).
About Pathways to Partnership
Pathways to Partnership is dedicated to fostering positive relationships and effective communication within communities. They offer a variety of services, including mediation, facilitation, and training programs, designed to help individuals and groups resolve conflicts amicably and constructively. Their approach emphasizes collaboration and mutual respect, ensuring that all parties feel heard and valued.
Pathways to Partnership has a collaborative partnership with CDE, working together to provide effective ADR solutions and support for our community.
For more information, visit the Pathways to Partnership website
. You may also request a resolution session through P2P.
Public Records Act—Government Code Section 6250 et seq.
Public records include any written information that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency (such as a county, city, or school district) and is related to the conduct of public business, regardless of the physical form or characteristics of the public business. Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency. Every person has the right to inspect any public record and obtain a copy for a fee unless, pursuant to specific statutory standards, it must be kept confidential. Agency regulations may be adopted stating the procedures to be followed when making records available.
For more information contact SEDPRA@cde.ca.gov.
Rights of Parents and Children
Special Education Rights of Parents and Children Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, and the California Education Code.
Parents' Rights (Updated 25-Aug-2023)
A brief summary of Procedural Safeguards for students with disabilities receiving special education services.
Derechos de Los Padres (Posted 28-Jul-2023)
Un breve resumen de las garantías procesales para los estudiantes con discapacidades que reciben servicios de educación especial.
Procedural Safeguards Resources
California Parent Organizations
List of California agencies providing resources for families of
children with disabilities.
Complaint Filing, Investigation and Resolution
Complaint Process (English) (Updated 02-Dec-2020)
The special education complaint process with federal and state law resource links.
Procedimiento Quejas (Español) (Posted 28-Jul-2023)
El procedimiento de la queja de educación especial con enlaces de recursos de la ley federal y estatal.
Helpful Hints When Requesting
Direct State Intervention (English) (Updated 27-Mar-2023)
Suggestions with examples on how to expedite the investigation process.
Sugerencias cuando se solicita la intervención directa del Estado (Español) (Posted 21-Aug-2023)
Sugerencias con ejemplos de cómo acelerar los procesos de investigación
Request for Complaint Investigation (English) (PDF; Revised 17-Apr-2019)
Form for filing compliance complaint that alleges violation of state or federal special education laws.
Solicitud de Investigación de Quejas (Español) (PDF; Posted 10-Jun-2024)
Formulario para presentar una queja de cumplimiento que alega violación de las leyes de educación especial estatales o federales.
California Department of Education (CDE) Request for Mediation (English) (PDF; Posted 30-Aug-2023)
Form to request Mediation from the CDE for a state education agency special education complaint. Scheduling Information for Mediation form must also be submitted.
Solicitud de Mediación de Denuncia (Español) (PDF; Posted 30-Aug-2023)
Formulario para solicitar Mediación al CDE para una queja a la agencia de educación estatal acerca de educación especial. También se debe enviar el formulario: Información sobre la Programación de Mediación de Denuncia Estatal.
Scheduling Information for Mediation of State Complaint (English) (PDF; Added 20-Nov-2020)
Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) form necessary to schedule mediation of a state education agency special education complaint. CDE Request for Mediation must also be submitted.
Información sobre la Programación de Mediación de Denuncia Estatal (Español) (PDF; Posted 10-Jun-2024)
El formulario de OAH es necesario para programar la mediación de una queja de educación estatal acerca de educación especial. También se debe enviar el formulario: Solicitud de Mediación del CDE.