LAO Special Education Reform Survey (Fall 2021)

JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

This fall, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), a nonpartisan adviser to the state Legislature, is reaching out to school districts across the state to discuss potential changes to special education funding and governance, and we would like to invite your district to provide input by filling out this questionnaire by Friday, October 29, 2021.

We anticipate special education reforms will be a major component of the upcoming state budget due to language recently adopted in the 2021-22 budget package, which signals statutory changes to how special education funds are allocated. In addition, the non-profit research organization WestEd recently released its recommendations to change how the state funds special education. Upcoming policy discussions will likely include WestEd’s recommendations. Notably, these changes include (1) allocating state funding based on weights by student disability category over the prior three years (i.e. high-cost, mid-cost, and low-cost) and (2) distributing funding directly to LEAs (local education agencies), rather SELPAs (special education local plan areas).

Through this questionnaire, we are hoping to learn more about how your district may respond to or be impacted by these two key recommendations. Any information collected will be used for informational purposes only and will not be directly attributable. Please contact Amy Li (amy.li@lao.ca.gov) at the LAO if you have any questions.

First Name *

Last Name *

School District *

Position *

1. What do you consider the top three special education cost drivers in your district (excluding any COVID-related costs)? Please only check three boxes.

Increasing rates of students identified with special education needs generally

Increasing rates of high-cost disabilities specifically

High cost of contracting specialists to provide special education services

High cost of living due to district’s location resulting in higher staff pay and benefit costs

Increases in special education teacher pay and benefits due to collective bargaining

Increasing demand for teacher aides and/or specialists

Incentives or pay differentials to attract and retain special education teachers and specialists

Inclusive practices, such as co-teaching

Assistive technology and other specialized equipment

Nonpublic school placements

Attorney’s fees due to legal disputes

Transportation costs

Other:

2. Please provide additional detail or context to your response to Question #1.

3. Under the state’s current special education funding formula (referred to as AB 602), the state allocates funding based on total student attendance. What factors do you think the state should take into consideration when allocating special education funding? To what degree do you think AB 602 currently accounts for these factors?

4. A recent study recommended California transition to a weight-based formula, with certain disability categories generating more funding. Does your district prefer state funding to be allocated by total student attendance (as is currently the case), weights by disability category, or an alternative approach?

5. What do you consider the strengths and limitations associated with a weight-based formula, especially related to equitable distribution of funds, incentivizing efficiency in services, avoiding incentives to identify students for special education, and being placement neutral?

6. How would you describe your district’s relationship with your SELPA?

Very positive

Generally positive

Neutral

Generally negative

Very negative

Clear selection

7. Given your response to Question #6, please the describe the strengths and limitations to your relationship with your SELPA.

8. How might your district react to new flexibilities allowing member districts to leave their SELPA and form other regional collaboratives? On a scale of 1-5, indicate the likelihood of the following with 1 representing least likely and 5 representing most likely.

1 (Not likely)

5 (Very likely)

Likelihood of staying with current SELPA

Likelihood of leaving your current SELPA to join another regional collaborative

Likelihood of leaving your current SELPA without joining another regional collaborative

Clear selection

9. What do you view as the barriers to more inclusive practices and early intervention in your district?

10. In your view, how can the state best promote practices such as inclusion and early intervention?

Establish designated grant funding

Provide guidance through the California Department of Education

Provide technical assistance and professional development opportunities

Measure inclusion and early intervention as part of the state’s school accountability system

Provide state special education funding to districts directly, rather than SELPAs

Establish professional learning networks

Other:

11. Please provide additional detail or context to your response to Question #10.

12. Is there anything else you would like to share on the issue of special education funding and governance?

13. If the LAO has any follow-up questions to your responses, may they contact you for additional information? If so, please provide contact information for the best person to speak to. *

Submit

Clear form

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. Report Abuse - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy

Forms