SAN JOSE, CA – On Wednesday, Santa Clara County Board of Education adopted a resolution endorsing Assembly Bill 312 (AB 312). This bill, supported by County Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Gundry, requires special education funding rates be equalized to generate approximately $653 per student average daily attendance, the current amount is $528.
"By signing this resolution, both the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and the County Board of Education support equal statewide access to quality preschool programs and access to diagnostic and intervention services. In many communities, these services are scarce," said Gundry. "California's public schools need to support all students, including students in our special education programs. AB 312 will address existing inequity in funding these programs by creating a state funding source for special education preschool services."
In March 2015, the Statewide Special Education Task Force made a recommendation for California to establish a new state preschool funding model calculated on a per-pupil rate, and based on a set amount of state funding. Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell (D-70) introduced AB 312 in February of 2017. This bill will help establish the new funding model and is designed to produce significant educational and social benefits as well as cut costs over the long-term.
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The SCCOE provides direct services to 1,485 K-12 special education students, 191 Early Start students, and implements Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) services for 17,179 students. The SCCOE also provides services for almost 200,000 students through the Inclusion Collaborative and other initiatives including the Warm Line, services to school districts, grant implementation, services through First 5, and other partners from both Santa Clara and surrounding counties.
