Inclusion through athletics brings students together in Murrieta Valley USD

Decades of research has linked strong inclusionary practices to higher test scores and grade point averages, stronger math and literacy skills, and more developed communication and social skills among students with disabilities. Long-term benefits include an increased likelihood of enrolling in college and graduating, finding […]

Supreme Court rules in favor of student seeking monetary compensation under the Americans with Disabilities Act

On March 21, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion, holding that students receiving special education services who file suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) seeking monetary compensation do not first have to exhaust administrative procedures under the Individuals with Disabilities […]

Ninth Circuit upholds existing FAPE rules in A.W. v. Tehachapi Unified School District

On June 25, 2020, in a special education case in which CSBA’s Education Legal Alliance filed an amicus brief, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the district in an unpublished opinion in A.W. v. Tehachapi Unified School District, upholding the district […]

COVID-19 webinar explores legal, policy and instructional aspects of special education

Of all the challenges faced by local educational agencies during the COVID-19 crisis, questions around providing services and learning opportunities to students with disabilities have been at the top of the list. Absent waivers to requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have […]

Court of Appeals affirms requirement to exhaust IDEA administrative remedies in A.L. v. Clovis Unified School District

On March 18, 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Clovis Unified School District in A.L. v. Clovis Unified School District, affirming the lower court’s dismissal of claims against the district. In the case, a student filed claims of discrimination under […]

CDE webinar shares insights, practices for special education during school closures

Of the myriad important issues facing California’s local educational agencies in their abrupt switch to distance learning, questions around serving students with special needs have come to the forefront. As LEAs address a number of legal issues, both the state and federal education departments have […]

Comprehensive special education report is a powerful resource for board members

Special education plays a critical role as schools strive to increase equity and improve outcomes for California’s 6.2 million public school students. To help guide this work, CSBA recently released The Landscape of Special Education in California: A Primer for Board Members, available at www.csba.org/specialeducation. […]

Supporting students with disabilities during Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month in the United States. The month is designated to not only help people understand the disorder, but also to encourage diagnosis and emphasize the importance of early detection. According to the California Autism Society, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is […]