The California public school system provides resources and accommodations to help students achieve their full learning potential. If a student is struggling in school, a parent or legal guardian can request an assessment. If the assessment shows a specific need, further discussions can be facilitated to determine how the school system can help. There are two categories of special needs that most often impede academic success for California students.
Speech impairments and learning disabilities are the two most common types of special needs in California schools. Such needs often create eligibility for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other accommodations. Currently, approximately one out of every eight students throughout the state receives some type of special education services.
Students with special needs can often attend mainstream classrooms
It is a primary goal of all California school districts to accommodate a student’s special needs in the least restrictive environment possible. In many cases, a student with a speech impairment or learning disability, such as dyslexia or auditory processing disorder, can benefit from an IEP while remaining in a mainstream classroom. It is common for students in need to have an interpreter or aide with them during classes.
More students need assistance now than ever before
In recent years, the California public school system has seen an uptick in the number of students whose special needs have impeded their learning experience. If an IEP has been denied or other legal problems have arisen regarding special education accommodations, a concerned parent or legal guardian may schedule a meeting with an experienced education law attorney. When an attorney acts as a personal advocate for parents and students, it often helps resolve even the most complex special education issues.