What is the Local Planning Process for Special Education?

The Special Education Local Planning Process includes a schedule of regular consultations regarding policy and budget development with the CAC and other stakeholders:

(30 EC 56205 a. 12. E

The description of the governance and administration of the plan, and the policymaking process, shall be consistent with subdivision (f) of Section 56001, subdivision (a) of Section 56195.3, and Section 56195.9, and shall reflect a schedule of regular consultations regarding policy and budget development with representatives of special education and regular education teachers and administrators selected by the groups they represent and parent members of the community advisory committee established pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 56190) of Chapter 2.

The Annual Budget Plan is contained within the Local Plan (it's the local plan in action):

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(b) Each local plan submitted to the Superintendent under this part shall also contain all the following: (1) An annual budget plan that shall be adopted at a public hearing held by the special education local plan area. Notice of this hearing shall be posted in each school in the local plan area at least 15 days prior to the hearing. The annual budget plan may be revised during any fiscal year according to the policymaking process established pursuant to subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) and consistent with subdivision (f) of Section 56001 and Section 56195.9. The annual budget plan shall identify expected expenditures for all items required by this part which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (A) Funds received in accordance with Chapter 7.2 (commencing with Section 56836). (B) Administrative costs of the plan. (C) Special education services to pupils with severe disabilities and low incidence disabilities. (D) Special education services to pupils with nonsevere disabilities. (E) Supplemental aids and services to meet the individual needs of pupils placed in regular education classrooms and environments. (F) Regionalized operations and services, and direct instructional support by program specialists in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 56836.23) of Chapter 7.2. (G) The use of property taxes allocated to the special education local plan area pursuant to Section 2572.

The Annual Service Plan is contained within the Local Plan (it is the Local Plan in action):

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(2) An annual service plan shall be adopted at a public hearing held by the special education local plan area. Notice of this hearing shall be posted in each district in the special education local plan area at least 15 days prior to the hearing. The annual service plan may be revised during any fiscal year according to the policymaking process established pursuant to subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) and consistent with subdivision (f) of Section 56001 and with Section 56195.9. The annual service plan shall include a description of services to be provided by each district and county office, including the nature of the services and the physical location at which the services will be provided, including alternative schools, charter schools, opportunity schools and classes, community day schools operated by districts, community schools operated by county offices, and juvenile court schools, regardless of whether the district or county office is participating in the local plan. This description shall demonstrate that all individuals with exceptional needs shall have access to services and instruction appropriate to meet their needs as specified in their individualized education programs. (3) A description of programs for early childhood special education from birth through five years of age. (4) A description of the method by which members of the public, including parents or guardians of individuals with exceptional needs who are receiving services under the plan, may address questions or concerns to the governing body or individual identified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (12) of subdivision (a). (5) A description of a dispute resolution process, including mediation and final and binding arbitration to resolve disputes over the distribution of funding, the responsibility for service provision, and the other governance activities specified within the plan.

Again, the Annual Budget Plan and the Annual Service Plan are contained within the Local Plan. The entire Local Planning process needs to be developed in consultation with and review by the CAC:

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(6) Verification that the plan has been reviewed by the community advisory committee and that the committee had at least 30 days to conduct this review prior to submission of the plan to the Superintendent.

Visit the CDE website for more information about Local Planning.