Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Services & Resources

Programs and services available to students with disabilities, publications, training and technical assistance opportunities, and recruitment resources and materials.

Information
Publications
Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities

Information

English Learners with Disabilities
Information regarding support for educators’ identification, assessment, differentiation of instruction, and reclassification of English learners with disabilities (Assembly Bill 2785).

Epilepsy Education and Awareness
Information for parents and educators on the needs of children with epilepsy in the California school system.

International Dyslexia Association External link opens in new window or tab.
According to its mission statement, the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is an association that actively promotes effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for dyslexics. It supports and encourages interdisciplinary research. It facilitates the exploration of the causes and early identification of dyslexia and is committed to the responsible and wide dissemination of research-based knowledge.

Special Education Resources
Links to sites related to Special Education national and state laws, regulations.

WorkAbility I
A California Transition Program

Publications

Braille Mathematics Standards (PDF) - adopted by the State Board of Education in 2006
Braille Reading Standards (PDF) - adopted by the State Board of Education in 2006

Determining Specific Learning Disability Eligibility Using Response To Instruction And Intervention (RtI2) (DOC; 4MB; Posted 26-Aug-2009)
Technical assistance information for local educational agencies as they begin planning to implement RtI2.

The EDge Newsletter
Informing and supporting parents, educators, and other service providers on special education topics, with a focus on research-based practices, legislation, technical support, and current resources.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities External link opens in new window or tab.
A central source of information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) External link opens in new window or tab., No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities) and research-based information on effective educational practices.

One System: Reforming Education to Serve ALL Students
2015 Report of California's Statewide Task Force on Special Education

Programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students - Guidelines for Quality Standards, 2000 (PDF; 1MB)

Reasons for Concern Brochure
That your child or a child in your care may need help.

Parents Helping Parents Resource Library External link opens in new window or tab.
The Parents Helping Parents (PHP) Resource Library is located with PHP of Santa Clara, a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), in an effort to enhance parent partnerships.

Surrogate Parents in California Special Education: An Overview (PDF; 3MB; Posted 02-Apr-2019)
An overview of federal and state statutes and regulations for use as a reference to assist local educational agencies in developing and implementing procedures for parental representation as required by Government Code Section 7579.5(m).

Surrogate Parents in California Special Education Training Module (PPTX; Posted 24-Jun-2019)
The training module to assist local educational agencies in developing and implementing procedures for parental representation as required by Government Code Section 7579.5(m).

Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities

Individualized Education Program (IEP) in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended in 2004.

California Special Education Technical Assistance Network (CALTAN) External link opens in new window or tab.
Provide evidence-based resources to California School Districts as they continue to improve upon the systems that support positive outcomes for students in California receiving Special Education services. On this website you will find evidence-based special education resources in the areas of assessment, collaboration, instruction, social emotional learning & behavior, and high-quality IEPs from technical assistance partners. Additional resources include support from the Special Education Program to support the Compliance and Improvement Monitoring process and protocol.

Partnerships for Effective Practices in Transition and Inclusion
California’s State Personnel Development Grant, Partnerships for Effective Practices in Transition, and Inclusion (PEPTI) is a collaboration between the CDE Special Education and Early Childhood Divisions and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). The PEPTI is a five year project with the mission of reforming California systems for personnel development in early intervention, early education, and Part C to Part B transition services.

Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Early Start (Birth to Three Services) External link opens in new window or tab.
Coordination via an interagency agreement between the lead Part C agency DDS and CDE to support early intervention services for infants and toddlers through California Early Start program.

Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Transition Partnership Programs (TPP), We-Can-Work (WCW) and Workabiltiy II (WAII) Programs External link opens in new window or tab.
The DOR and CDE work collaboratively to increase the vocational and career opportunities for secondary students with disabilities that will allow for successful transitions into the world of work and postsecondary education. The interagency agreement allows for increased partnership across agencies to ensure systems alignment at the local level through technical assistance and information sharing.

Special Education Resource Leads
The Special Education Resource Leads (SERLs) are part of the California Statewide System of Support.

TEACH California External link opens in new window or tab. - Recruiting California Teachers
Provides information and links for individuals seeking teaching positions in California with emphasis on special education, mathematics and science teachers.

Questions:   Special Education Division | specedinfoshare@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-4613
Last Reviewed: Monday, January 22, 2024
Recently Posted in Special Education
  • WAI Executive Meeting October 15, 2024 (added 03-Oct-2024)
    WorkAbility I (WAI) State Advisory Executive Committee Meeting Agenda.
  • Cyclical Monitoring for Small LEAs (updated 24-Sep-2024)
    This is the home page for local educational agencies (LEAs) that have been selected for Special Education Cyclical Monitoring.
  • ACSE Membership and Liaisons (updated 17-Sep-2024)
    Directory of the Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE), including Commissioner, liaison and staff contact information.
  • FMTA Consultant Assignments by Region (updated 12-Sep-2024)
    The Focused Monitoring and Technical Assistance (FMTA) Consultants are assigned geographically and by quality assurance activity to align with the eleven California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) regions.
  • CALPADS Special Education Data Fall Roadshows (updated 29-Aug-2024)
    California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Regional trainings in Fall 2024 to inform local educational agencies (LEAs) with updates and changes to the collection of data for students with disabilities.

  • DRDP Administration FAQs (added 29-Aug-2024)
    These frequently asked questions (FAQs) assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in the administration of the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP).
  • 2024 Significantly Disproportionate LEAs (added 28-Aug-2024)
    A list of the local educational agencies (LEAs) identified as significantly disproportionate for the 2024 fiscal year.
  • California Special Education Local Plan Areas (updated 09-Aug-2024)
    Service area covered by a special education local plan and the governance structure created under any of the planning options of Section 56205, 56206, 56208, 56211, 56213, 56241, 56243, 56244, & 56245 of the Education Code.
  • 2024−25 Workability I Grant Update (added 08-Aug-2024)
    Updates for the 2024-25 Workability I Grant Program.