​Student progress and accomplishments are celebrated through awards ceremonies, graduations and promotions, or even telling students they’re doing great work. On December 2 the education community celebrates the progress made since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)​ was enacted in 1975. Since the passage of the IDEA, children with special needs have been guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE). 

Every year special education’s vital role in the lives of students is recognized through the observance of Special Education Day, with 2023 being the 48th anniversary. 

“Every student is unique and has different needs,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “Through advocacy and partnership, it is our commitment to provide each student with the equitable tools and inclusive resources that will make their school experience successful and memorable.” 

Advocacy and progress have brought students together and have helped educators provide support to students with a variety of needs to help them reach their academic and personal goals. Last year, Senate Bill 692, The Special Education Inclusion Act, was signed into California law. The bill ensures students with special needs are respected as general education students first, encouraging inclusion amongst students to learn and engage with their peers.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is committed to inclusive, high-quality education. Resources such as the Inclusion Collaborative and Warm Line support educators and families, as they navigate supports that benefit students with disabilities. 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 annual Inclusion Collaborative State Conference provides educational opportunities to those serving students with disabilities through evidence-based practices. Speakers for the conference are advocates and share their own experiences as people with disabilities to help educators reflect and evaluate their instruction methods. 

The Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) continues to support the work and partnerships that provide all students with the necessary support for them to thrive. Each year, a student from an SCCOE special education program is honored as the Student of the Year. They are celebrated at a SCCBOE  meeting with their teachers and loved ones testifying to their diligence in the classroom, disposition amongst their peers, and overall joy they bring to their campus community. 

“Learning is not a one-way street,” said Santa Clara County Board of Education President Victoria Chon. “I find that students often teach us so much and when we learn from them we keep their perspective with us to better inform instruction and learning environments.” 

On Special Education Day, the SCCOE shares gratitude to the teachers, paraeducators and school staff who work tirelessly to support students and their academic journeys.