Distribute state special education funds to LEAs rather than exclusively to SELPAs to promote coordination and inclusive practices

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

The report recommends transitioning over time from distributing state special education funds exclusively to SELPAs to distributing them to LEAs, which could then contract with regional entities for regionalized services. Because most students with disabilities spend most of the day in general education, the authors argue "Such coordination could be optimized by distribution of AB 602 funds directly to LEAs," aligning funding with LCFF accountability for all students.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

• LEA authority to make decisions about how best to use funds for coordination purposes
• Maintenance of effort and excess cost fiscal requirements under IDEA must continue to be met

Constraints

• The need for some regionalized services persists, especially for students in high-cost categories and small LEAs
• The funding system alone cannot bring forth necessary changes, though it can communicate state intent

Target Learners

• Students with disabilities in California K-12 schools, including those in general education classrooms 80 percent or more of the day

Learning Goals

• Access to and progress in the general education curriculum; coordinated services across general and special education

Claims

• Ermhs Services Provided By Leas [+M]
• Inclusive Preschool Benefits Reduced Identification [+M]

Related Designs

Examples

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Key Sources

• Doutre, S. M., Willis, J., Barrett, T., Ripma, T., Caparas, R., & Krausen, K. (2021). California State Special Education Funding System Study, Part 2: Findings, Implications, and Considerations for Improving Special Education Funding in California. WestEd. https://www.wested.org

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	design
id	distribute-special-education-funds-to-leas
title	Distribute state special education funds to LEAs rather than exclusively to SELPAs to promote coordination and inclusive practices
description	The report recommends transitioning over time from distributing state special education funds exclusively to SELPAs to distributing them to LEAs, which could then contract with regional entities for regionalized servi...
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-10
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — doutre-2021

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