SAN JOSE, CA – In honor of National Special Education Day, the Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) unanimously approved Resolution #2290-2 during their November 17, 2021, Regular Board Meeting.
National Special Education Day is acknowledged annually on December 2 and celebrates the anniversary of the nation’s first special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which was signed on December 2, 1972. The IDEA law makes a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and other related services be made available to students.
“By supporting this resolution, the County Superintendent of Schools and the SCCBOE are promoting the SCCOE’s commitment of improving student equity and access to high-quality education regardless of a student’s ability or disability,” said Santa Clara County Board of Education President, Claudia Rossi. “This resolution promotes the importance of the IDEA law to this day in ensuring that all children receive equitable access to public education and resources.”
The SCCOE’s Special Education Department provides services to students with disabilities attending court schools, community schools and pediatric-skilled nursing facilities. Additional programs available through the Special Education Department include the CONNECT (Community Opportunities for Navigating and Networking Educational and Career Transitions) post-secondary program that promotes college-aged students’ exploration of vocational, educational and recreational options through partnerships with local community groups.
“The SCCOE is proud to offer these high-quality programs, services and support to districts, schools, students, families and the community to ensure students across Santa Clara County have the tools and resources needed to be successful during their educational journeys,” said Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D. “It is important for students with disabilities to be provided with specially designed instruction in inclusive settings to meet their diverse needs so they can be educated with their peers.”
In addition to programs, support and services, the SCCOE operates the Inclusion Collaborative with a mission to promote a culture that values all children by strengthening, sustaining, and ensuring inclusive practices regardless of a student’s ability or disability. The Inclusion Collaborative strives to create full access to a quality inclusive learning and community environment.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.