A RESOLUTION of the San Luis Obispo SELPA calling for immediate and full funding of special education deficits so all students can succeed.

WHEREAS , if all California children and youth are to reach California’s high educational standards that will allow them to succeed in school, work and life, the State must commit adequate resources to schools; and,

WHEREAS , numerous studies have shown that California’s investment in K–12 education — including basic, special, limited-English speaking, remedial and career-technical — are insufficient to meet students’ needs and state and federal academic standards; and,

WHEREAS , there is an undeniable correlation between success in school, earnings potential, crime and imprisonment; and,

WHEREAS , special education is a state and federally-mandated program and children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education (FAPE); and,

WHEREAS , California’s funding formula does not reflect the true costs of providing educational services to students with disabilities; and,

WHEREAS , the lack of sufficient state and federal funding to pay for special education services has forced local school districts to backfill $2 billion from local funds, thereby, reducing funding for programs that serve general education; and,

WHEREAS, the California State Legislature and the federal government have consistently been urged by school agencies to address the funding crisis in special education, but only minor funding increases have been approved; and,

WHEREAS, California should not abdicate its responsibility to assist school districts when federal funds for special education do not materialize; and,

WHEREAS, our state cannot afford to wait for more students to fail before taking decisive action;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor, State Legislature and the federal government are urged to provide adequate, equitable and stable special education funding for our schools by:

• Immediately and fully funding special education to deliver critical relief to school agencies and,

• Establishing a comprehensive plan to address issues affecting special education staffing, early intervention, parent/school relationships and assistive technology.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11 thday of January, 2008, by the SELPA Governing Council of the San Luis Obispo County SELPA, San Luis Obispo County, California, by the following vote:

   8 YES: Members

   0 NOES: Members

   3 ABSENT: Members