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Special Education Mission
The mission of the Special Education Department is to provide all students access to high-quality educational services that promote academic, personal, and social-emotional success based on their unique needs.
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WHAT IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION LOCAL PLAN AREA (SELPA)?
In 1977, all school districts and county school offices in California were required to form geographical regions of sufficient size and scope to provide for all special education service needs of children residing within the region’s boundaries. Each region
became known as a Special Education Local Plan Area – SELPA. Today, there are over 120 SELPAs in the State. The SELPA governance structures vary in form, including models for Multi-District SELPAs, Multi-District/County Office SELPAs, Single District SELPAs, Multi-District/Multi-County SELPAs, County SELPAs with Joint Powers Agreements, and Charter only SELPAs. Size and scope also varies across the state. Each SELPA has a Local Plan describing how it provides special education services. Specific components to be included in the Local Plan are delineated in the Education Code.
The SELPA and member local education agencies (LEAs) foster coordination between general and special education for prevention and early intervention of suspected disabilities. The SELPA also ensures appropriate education services for individuals with disabilities by working cooperatively with other public and private agencies to support a full complement of special education services for students. Each SELPA must have an Administrative Unit (also known as the Responsible Local Agency), which serves as the legal entity that receives funds. In some instances, the Administrative Unit is a school district and in other instances it is the county office.The Antelope Valley SELPA member school districts include Acton-Agua Dulce, Antelope Valley Union, Eastside Union, Gorman Joint, Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union, Keppel Union, Lancaster, Palmdale, Westside Union and Wilsona. Their website has a wealth of further resources for both parents and educators.
