guideline for required & best practices within the realm of special education
With the exception of language mandated by federal and state laws and regulations, the contents of the handbook are procedural suggestions intended to assist districts in meeting the requirements of the law. It provides district personnel clear and systematic procedures regarding students’ rights and responsibilities, in accordance with federal state laws and regulations.
The handbook is a flexible document that will be updated to stay current and may be adapted by districts to meet their specific needs.
- SELPA Procedural Handbook As of May 2025
- Introduction and Role of the SELPA (May 2025)
- Chapter 1 Identification, Referral and Assessment (May 2025)
- Chapter 2 Early Childhood Education (May 2025)
- Chapter 3 Identification and Assessment of English Language Learners (March 2021)
- Chapter 4 Parental Rights and Procedural Safeguards (May 2025)
- Chapter 5 Confidentiality of Pupil Records (May 2025)
- Chapter 6 Special Education Eligibility Criteria and IEP Planning Guidelines (Aug 2014)
- Chapter 7 Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and Special Education Programs and Related Services (Aug 2014)
- Chapter 8 Secondary Transition (2012-2013)
- Chapter 9 Suspension and Expulsion (2012-2013)
- Chapter 10 Referral Procedures for Santa Cruz County Office of Education Special Education Programs (May 2025)
- Chapter 11 Non-Public School Placement (May 2025)
- Chapter 12 Surrogate Parents (2012-2013)
- Chapter 13 Low Incidence Purchasing (May 2025)
- RESOURCES
- Chapter 14.1 Assistive Technology
- Chapter 14.2 AB 167 and AB 490 (Foster Youth) Guidelines
- Chapter 14.3 McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (May 2025)
- Chapter 14.4 Complaint and Dispute Overviews
- Chapter 14.5 Formal Due Process Resolution
- Chapter 14.6 Grades, Report Cards and Transcripts for Students with Disabilities
- Chapter 14.7 Promotion and Retention of Students with Disabilities
- Chapter 14.8 Special Education Algebra Waiver
- Chapter 14.9 California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) (May 2025)
- Chapter 14.10 Desired Results Developmental (DRDP) Access
- Chapter 14.11 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Resources
- Chapter 14.12 Medically Necessary OT/PT vs. Educationally Necessary OT/PT
- Chapter 14.13 Acronyms
- POLICIES
- Chapter 15.1 Charter Schools
- Chapter 15.2 Independent Educational Evaluation (May 2025)
- Chapter 15.3 Federal Maintenance of Effort Required (May 2025)
- Chapter 15.4 Parentally-Placed Private School Students with Disabilities
- Chapter 15.5 Program Transfer (May 2025)
- Chapter 15.6 Intensive Individualized Support (May 2025)
- Chapter 15.7 Positive Behavioral Interventions