Ready for Launch:
California Special Ed Law Wiki

In our mission to help special needs children, we've been working hard on our California Special Ed Law Wiki to help parents, as well as special education attorneys and advocates, more easily access, understand and make sense of California special education hearing decisions and related legalese in an intuitive interface with enhanced search capabilities.

It's a work in progress, so we hope you'll become a member and help us with your insight, suggestions and comments to expand the wiki. Currently our database includes hearing decisions from 2008 through the present (each week new decisions are added). As time permits, we'll be adding the 2005-2007 decisions to complete the OAH hearing decision database.

Alerts for Special Needs Families

US Department of Education Seeks Feedback About Special Ed in California

On September 27, the U.S. Department of Education will be visiting the California Department of Education, Special Programs Division, to look at California’s compliance with IDEA Part B. Part B is the section of IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act) that serves children ages 3-26. The California Parent Training and Information Centers have created a survey for parents to provide input and their experiences and knowledge of special education in California. Read more

SB 1283 Call To Action - Autism Insurance Coverage

Update from Louis A. Vismara:
I am delighted to share the good news that this important bill (SB 1283), which will expedite the grievance and appeals process, has been approved by the Legislature and has been sent to the Governor for his signature. Our special thanks to Rick Rollens, Beth Capell, Kristin Jacobson, Feda Almaliti, Karen Fessel who testified during hearings as well numerous other advocates for their commitment, guidance, and hard work on this issue. It is crucial that the Governor be made aware of the importance of this measure.  Please do everything possible to encourage your colleagues to contact his office. Attached is a draft letter (the fax number for the Governor’s office included) [download pdf or Word document] that may be helpful in having our voices heard.  Many thanks to those of you that are involved in this landmark effort. Let’s keep up the good fight.

Learn more about Autism Insurance Coverage and SB 1283

Louis A. Vismara. MD
Policy Consultant to Senator Darrell Steinberg
Office of the President Pro Tempore
Ph. 916-651-4189, Fax. 916-327-8867
louis.vismara@sen.ca.gov

California Education in the News

Grading the Teachers: Value-Added Analysis

The Los Angeles Times has produced an analysis of how effective Los Angeles Unified School District teachers have been at improving their students' performance on standardized tests. The Times has decided to make the ratings available because they bear on the performance of public employees who provide an important service, and in the belief that parents and the public have a right to the information. Database