Plain English Breakdown
The effective date is contingent on an appropriation, meaning the law may not take effect if funding is not approved.
Supporting Inclusive Practices Project
This law creates a project starting in fiscal year 2027–28 to help schools include students with disabilities in general education classrooms, but only if lawmakers approve funding.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the State Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to run the Supporting Inclusive Practices project through contracts or agreements with one or two county offices of education.
- Provides technical assistance to schools focused on using evidence-based practices to increase access to general education settings for students with disabilities.
- Supports educators in helping students with disabilities progress toward a high school diploma.
- Creates a shared referral process so schools receiving help from the collaborative can be referred to the department for direct, targeted support if needed.
Who It Names or Affects
- Students with disabilities who attend public schools or charter schools in California.
- Local educational agencies and charter schools that receive technical assistance.
- County offices of education designated by the collaborative to help administer parts of the project.
- The State Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.
Terms To Know
- General education settings
- Classrooms where students with disabilities learn alongside their peers without disabilities, rather than in separate special education rooms.
- Technical assistance
- Expert advice and training given to schools to help them improve how they teach and support students using evidence-based practices.
- State-mandated local program
- A new duty required by the state that county offices of education must perform, which may require state reimbursement for costs if determined by the Commission on State Mandates.
Limits and Unknowns
- The project only begins in fiscal year 2027–28.
- Funding is not guaranteed; the law says it depends on an appropriation (money) being approved by lawmakers.
- Reimbursement for costs to local agencies will happen only if the Commission on State Mandates determines that state-mandated costs exist.