What is Special Education
Special Education is specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents to meet the unique educational needs of children with disabilities. It is provided for children ages birth to 22 years who qualify according to laws and regulations outlined by the federal and state governments and whose parents consent to such services.

Who is served?
Children who have one of the following disabilities and by reason of their disability cannot succeed in the regular education program without special education assistance:

Mental Retardation
Hard of Hearing
Deafness
Deaf-Blindness
Speech or Language Impairment
Visual Impairment
Emotional Disturbance
Orthopedically Impaired
Other Health Impairment
Specific Learning Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Autism
Traumatic Brain Injury

Who is not eligible?
Those individuals are not eligible for special education when it has been determined that their difficulties are the result of one or more of the following:

limited school experience
poor school attendance
cultural or economic disadvantages
lack of familiarity with the English language

These difficulties must be addressed by the other regular or categorical services offered within general education.

What services are provided by Special Education?
CONTINUUM OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Services are determined by an IEP team decision, which includes the parent(s).
Least Restrictive Environment
Enrolled in General Education Classroom
Student benefits from general education classroom and curriculum with modifications as appropriate. General education teacher provides instruction.

Enrolled in General Education Classrom with:
Resource Specialist Program (RSP) and/or Designated Instructional Services (DIS) (Speech/Language, Hard of Hearing, Adaptive Physical Education, other)

Student requires consultative services provided by RSP and/or DIS Specialist and may need modification and accommodations to general classroom and curriculum; general education teacher provides instruction.
Special education personnel and general education teacher work collaboratively to provide services to the student in the general education classroom through a supported classroom.
Student receives special education instruction in a small group setting for part of the day by a special education teacher and also receives instruction in general education by a general education teacher.

Enrolled in Special Day Class (SDC):
Student receives instruction in self-contained Special Day Class. This includes Functional Skills and Intervention Programs. Students are included in general education as determined by their IEP.
Student receives SDC services through San Luis Obispo County Office of Education (SLOCOE) when appropriate services are not available through the student's school district of residence. Students are included in general education as determined by their IEP.
Student receives services through SLOCOE for Hearing Impairment, Deaf and severely Orthopedic Impairment when services are not appropriate in the school district of residence to meet student needs.

Enrolled in Other Special Education Services:
Student requires services not available in public education programs. Non Public School Placement (NPS) is made when the student's needs cannot be met within SLO county schools or the community.
Student requires special education services at a state special school when needs cannot be met within SLO county schools or the community. State special schools may be available for Deaf, Hearing Impaired and Visually Impaired.
Student requires residential placement to benefit educationally from instructional program. These services are usually determined through an expanded IEP team.
Student receives instruction in the Home or Hospital.

What is the Community Advisory Committee (CAC)?
IDEA and the California State Education code require this committee to ensure open communication between the San Luis Obispo SELPA and the community -- leading to improved special education programs and related services.

Who serves on the CAC?
The Community Advisory Committee for Special Education includes:

• District parents with children in general or special education
• Adults with disabilities
• School personnel
• Community representatives from affiliated agencies

Everyone is encouraged to become actively involved in the growth and development of special education programs by participating in CAC activities and attending CAC meetings. Becoming involved provides the opportunity for you to meet other parents, school staff, district administrators, and other community agency representatives who are also interested in services for students with special needs.

What does CAC do?
Through regular attendance as a committee member, the CAC can give you knowledge and skills necessary to become more comfortable in the role as partner in the educational process for your child. The CAC serves as a way to share knowledge and help develop the best possible programs for our students.

We make information available to the community and the districts within San Luis Obispo County. Our monthly meetings provide a forum for the community to express concerns, interests, and priorities to San Luis Obispo County school districts, and for San Luis Obispo County school districts to inform the community of program direction, special projects, legislation and funding matters.

The CAC reviews district policies and programs. It also assists in the review conducted by the State Department of Education once every four years.

The CAC also plans and participates in fundraising activities. Funds raised are used to supplement classroom matierials and student activities and for student awards and scholarships.

When are CAC meetings held?
All meetings are open and everyone is invited to attend. The school year meeting schedule is the third Tuesday of each month from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact the SELPA office for more information.

What is the role of the School Psychologist?
District School Psychologists work with students (birth through adult), families, teachers, administrators and community members. They apply specialized skills and knowledge to address school related problems and to promote overall learning and development in children.

Typical services may include:

• Consulting with teachers, parents, and administrators about learning, social and behavior concerns.
• Psychoeducational assessment and diagnosis of specific learning, emotional, and behavioral disabilites, including placement recommendations, classroom interventions, and periodic review.
• Short-term psychological counseling with students and familes.
• Linking families with appropriate community service agencies and serving as a liaison between school, families and agencies.
• Providing staff and program development within schools.
• Participating in parent training activities.
• Providing ongoing support to intervention services and programs.
• Providing services and leadership as needed in crisis situations.
• Supervise and support other intervention support staff working at sites.

What is the role of Speech/Language Specialists?
District Speech/Language Specialists work with qualified children starting at birth. The Speech/Language Specialist is the professional who is responsible for working with students who have communication or speech difficulties. The specialist provides direct services to students which includes: identifying students, completing assessments, determining eligibility, and providing the appropriate services that are necessary to meet his/her educational needs.

There are a variety of indirect services which are also related to management of students with speech/language disorders. These activities include collaborating with parents, consulting with teaching staff and coordinating with outside agencies. In addition to being responsible for direct and indirect services to students, the specialist provides formal and informal in-service training programs for teachers and participants on multi-disciplinary assessment teams. The specialist also functions as a site-level resource.