Who is eligible for Special Education services?

Special Education provides specialized instruction for children from birth to age 22 who qualify under state and federal laws. Students may receive services if they are identified with one of the thirteen disability categories defined by IDEA (2004):

Autism • Deaf-Blindness • Deafness • Hearing Impairment • Intellectual Disability • Multiple Disabilities • Orthopedic Impairment • Other Health Impairment • Emotional Disturbance • Specific Learning Disability • Speech/Language Impairment • Traumatic Brain Injury • Visual Impairment.

What is Special Education?

California Education Code §56031 defines special education as instruction designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, along with related services that help them benefit from that instruction. It is part of the public education system and:

• Is provided at no cost to parents

• Ensures students with and without disabilities learn together as much as appropriate

• Offers a full range of services in the least restrictive environment (LRE), meaning settings as close as possible to general education.