Parents / Guardians

The Division of Special Education has various resources available for parents. We invite you to take advantage of every opportunity to be an active partner in your child’s education. Workshops and training are offered throughout the school year covering various topics related to the needs of students with disabilities and the many ways parents can support their child both in and out of the classroom. In addition to workshops and training sessions, District and community-sponsored events supportive of the students and parents we serve are also available. The District values its partnership with parents in their children’s education.

Child Find

The Los Angeles Unified School District seeks to identify, locate, and evaluate children suspected of having a disability who may be eligible for special education services designed to meet their educational needs at no cost to families. This includes highly mobile children, migrant children, children experiencing homelessness, children who are wards of the state and children attending private schools located within LAUSD boundaries, regardless of where they reside. All other children must live in the LAUSD attendance area.

English Poster Spanish Poster Chinese Poster

Armenian Poster Farsi Poster

CAC Elections Information

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for special education is a District-level group made up of parents, guardians, educators, other school staff, students with disabilities and community members who collaborate to improve special education services. Most members are parents or guardians of children with disabilities. The CAC serves in an advisory role to the SELPA director, the Board of Education, and the Superintendent’s cabinet. Get involved! Consider joining the CAC and attending a regional election to learn more. *Prospective candidates must meet eligibility criteria, which include one of the following: they must provide evidence that they live, work, or have a child enrolled in a school covered by the LAUSD SELPA Local Plan. This will be based on the category they are interested in.

Please visit https://sped.lausd.org/CACelections to obtain more information on election dates/times/locations.

Diploma Information Sessions

Join us for an information session to learn more about the criteria to earn a diploma for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

More about Diploma Information Sessions

2024/2025 Virtual Parent Workshops Catalog

The Division of Special Education Virtual Parent Workshop catalog for the 2024/2025 school year is now available. Click on the title of this article to access it.

More about 2024/2025 Virtual Parent Workshops Catalog

Dear Families,

We are excited to invite you to our Division of Special Education Virtual Parent Workshops! These sessions are designed to support you and your child’s educational journey, providing valuable insights, resources, and strategies to help your child thrive.

Whether you're looking to learn more about specific services or programs, and/or gain practical tips for supporting your child's learning at home, our workshops have something for everyone.

What to Expect:
•Interactive virtual sessions with expert professionals
•Tips and tools for supporting your child’s unique needs
•Q&A opportunities to get your questions answered

We can't wait to connect with you and work together to make this school year successful for your child!

How to Join:
Simply click https://bit.ly/DSE-VirtualParentWorkshops to join any of the upcoming workshops. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you for your partnership.

Dr. Jose Soto
Executive Director, Division of Special Education

Click here to download the 2024/2025 DSE Virtual Parent Workshops catalog.

Queridas familias,
¡Nos complace invitarlo a nuestros talleres virtuales para padres de la División de Educación Especial! Estas sesiones están diseñadas para apoyarlo a usted y a su hijo en su trayectoria educativa, brindándole ideas, recursos y estrategias valiosas para ayudar a su hijo a prosperar.
Ya sea que esté buscando obtener más información sobre servicios o programas específicos y/u obtener consejos prácticos para apoyar el aprendizaje de su hijo en casa, nuestros talleres tienen algo para todos.

Qué esperar:
•Sesiones virtuales interactivas con profesionales expertos.
•Consejos y herramientas para satisfacer las necesidades únicas de su hijo
• Oportunidades de preguntas y respuestas para obtener respuestas a sus preguntas.

¡Estamos ansiosos por conectarnos con usted y trabajar juntos para que este año escolar sea exitoso para su hijo!

Cómo unirse:
Simplemente haga clic en https://bit.ly/DSE-VirtualParentWorkshops para unirse a cualquiera de los próximos talleres. ¡Esperamos verte allí!

Gracias por su asociación.

Dr. José Soto
Director Ejecutivo, División de Educación Especial

Haga clic aquí para descargar el catálogo de talleres virtuales para padres DSE 2024/2025.

Parent Resources

TK - 12 Instruction: Parent/Guardian Resource Sheet

The Division of Special Education has compiled a collection of valuable resources to share with you! This comprehensive sheet contains website links that can support your child's learning and development. We encourage you to download and review this sheet to explore the many ways you can enhance your child's educational journey. Your involvement and support are crucial to their success, and we believe these tools will be beneficial for both you and your child.

TK - 12 Instruction: Parent/Guardian Resource Sheet

¡La División de Educación Especial ha compilado una colección de recursos valiosos para compartir con usted! Esta hoja completa contiene enlaces a sitios web que pueden apoyar el aprendizaje y el desarrollo de su hijo. Le recomendamos que descargue y revise esta hoja para explorar las muchas maneras en que puede mejorar el viaje educativo de su hijo. Su participación y apoyo son cruciales para su éxito y creemos que estas herramientas serán beneficiosas tanto para usted como para su hijo.

TK - 12 Instrucción: Hoja de recursos para padres/tutores

English Learners with Disabilities

Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS)

CCEIS is a federally mandated program designed to promote equity and inclusivity in education. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states are required to monitor Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to identify and address significant disproportionality in the representation of racial and ethnic groups within special education and related services. When significant disproportionality is identified, LEAs are required to develop and implement an action plan to address the root causes, ensuring fair and equitable practices for all students.

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What is Disproportionality?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) requires states and LEAs to take proactive steps to address disproportionality. Disproportionality refers to the overrepresentation of specific racial or ethnic groups in one or more of the following areas:

Special education programs overall
Specific disability categories
Disciplinary actions
Placement in more restrictive educational environments

This mandate ensures equity in educational opportunities and services for all students, regardless of their background.

CCEIS Goals

The CCEIS program at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is dedicated to addressing and rectifying disproportionality in special education through:

Equitable Identification - Ensure students are appropriately and equitably identified for special education services.
Inclusive Placements - Promote the least restrictive environment (LRE) by increasing access to inclusive educational settings.
Fair Discipline Practices - Reduce disparities in disciplinary actions by providing proactive behavioral interventions and support.
Capacity Building - Empower schools and staff with professional development, tools, and resources to build equitable practices.

We promote equity in identifying, supporting, and educating students with disabilities, ensuring that all students—regardless of race, ethnicity, or background—have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Get Involved

We encourage educators, families, and community members to join us in promoting equity and excellence for all students. To learn more about the CCEIS program, contact us at:

CCEIS Office

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 213-241-3378

School and Family Support Services (SFSS)

Our Mission

The Division of Special Education’s School and Family Support Services (SFSS) unit is committed to working collaboratively with our LAUSD families, students, colleagues and other partners in education to promote each student’s success and well-being as he/she prepares for future endeavors by providing all partners with the ongoing delivery of the most accurate information, resources, assistance, and guidance regarding special education.

What We Do

If you have questions, concerns, and/or complaints related to special education or specifically about a child’s IEP, we can assist. The Division of Special Education is committed to:

Providing information to increase understanding and awareness of special education, so parents can better participate in the educational decision-making process for their child
Promptly responding to inquiries, and helping to mediate and/or resolve concerns related to the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Investigating complaints of alleged special education violations, and facilitating appropriate resolutions in a timely manner
Listening to parent concerns and providing resources that support informed decision-making
Offering information about parent engagement opportunities
Facilitating collaboration between District staff and parents
Providing answers to IEP related questions
Assisting with transportation needs as stated on the IEP
Providing the most current information related to special education

Contact Us

School and Family Support Services
Telephone: (213) 241-6701
FAX: (877) 339-2684
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.lausd.org/sped
Monday - Friday 7:00 AM-5:00 PM
Interpreter Services Available

SFSS Brochure February 2021
English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese,
Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog

Dispute Resolution Options

The LAUSD Division of Special Education strives to meet the unique educational needs of all exceptional children with each Individualized Education Program (IEP) written; however, disagreements arise occasionally. When disagreements occur, parents have four options to pursue a resolution to the disagreement:

Alternate Dispute Resolution

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an optional informal process adapted by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and supported by the California Department of Education (CDE) for resolving special education concerns early. The ADR process uses communication, collaboration, and consultation to resolve Individualized Education Program (IEP) disagreements. It is through the ADR process that LAUSD seeks to expedite resolutions to special education concerns after an IEP meeting, in a manner that meets the needs of the student at the earliest opportunity possible.

ADR Brochure English

ADR Brochure Spanish
Informal Dispute Resolution

Informal Dispute Resolution or “IDR” is an optional dispute resolution process available to parents. IDR is a District process that is designed to be faster, less formal and less adversarial than mediation and due process proceedings. In the IDR process, parents identify their issues and concerns and the District attempts to work with the parent to quickly resolve the issues identified.
Mediation Only
“Mediation Only” is a state-level, voluntary dispute resolution process under the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). In Mediation Only, a neutral mediator assists you and the District in discussing and attempting to resolve your disagreement. The mediators are not employees of the District and do not have any personal interest in the disagreement. The mediators are selected on an impartial basis by the State and know the laws and regulations relating to the provision of special education and related services. The Mediation Only process includes a mediation conference attended by you, the assigned mediator, and a District representative who has decision-making authority. Lawyers or advocates, for the student/ parent or for the District, are not permitted to participate in Mediation Only.
Formal Due Process Hearing
Due process hearing requests are dispute resolution proceedings required to be available to parents and school districts under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). You or the District may file a due process complaint on any matter relating to a proposal or refusal to initiate or change the identification, evaluation or educational placement of your child or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to your child. The proceedings begin with the submission of a complaint notice and include a resolution period with a mandatory resolution session meeting, optional mediation, and a due process hearing before an impartial hearing officer. The District convenes the resolution session meeting. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) conducts the optional mediation and the due process hearing. It may not be necessary to go through all of the due process proceedings to reach resolution. A due process complaint may be resolved by mutual agreement of the parties at any stage of the proceedings.

IEP Written Translations

Parent request for a written translation of their child’s IEP.

Parents can make a request for a written translation of the IEP document at the IEP meeting. If the parent has not requested the written translation at the IEP Team Meeting, yet after the meeting decides to request the translation of the IEP document, the parent must make the request in writing to the school site administrator.

School of attendance shall provide a written translated copy of the IEP to the requesting parent within 30 days of the request.

Pupil Records Request

The California Education Code § 56504 ensures parents the right and opportunity to examine all school records of his or her child and to receive copies of these records within five business days after making a request either orally or in writing.

The Los Angeles Unified School District-Division of Special Education has established a Custodian of Records to receive requests for records and to ensure these records are copied and provided to the individual making the request.

Information - How to Submit Your Request

All educationally related records requests for students with or suspected of having a disability attending a District Operated School or Charter Operated School are to be mailed, emailed, or faxed to:

Los Angeles Unified School District
Division of Special Education 
Custodian of Records
District-Operated Schools and Charter Operated Schools
Special Education Service Center-Operations
333 S. Beaudry Ave., 18th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 241-2417 (fax)

EMAIL
[email protected] 

Subject Line: Pupil Records Request

Records Request Letter English

Records Request Letter Spanish

Parent/Guardian Request for Records (English)  FILLABLE FORM

Parent/Guardian Request for Records (Spanish) FILLABLE FORM

Roadmap for Social-Emotional Well-Being & Academic Success

The Roadmaps for Social-Emotional Well-Being & Academic Success were designed by educators and mental health professionals to support the return to school following a particularly turbulent time in history. We trust that all parents and all school staff - teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff- will find helpful tools and resources.

The Parent/Caregiver edition gives parents/caregivers tools to support their child’s resilience: sense of safety, connectedness, self-efficacy, community efficacy, ability to be calm and hope.

Virtual IEP Team Meetings - Informational Video

UCLArts & Healing Programs - Sessions for Parents

UCLArts & Healing is a community partner. It is an organizational member of the UCLA Integrative Medicine Collaborative, and is supported by the Arts & Healing Initiative. Their mission is to transform lives through creative expression by integrating the innate benefits of the arts with mental health practices for self-discovery, connection, and empowerment. View the UCLArts & Healing programs, services and resources including the HOPE (Healing Online for People Everywhere) series programs, by visiting their webpage.

UCLArts & Healing Programs Webpage

UCLArts & Healing Brochure

Created in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, this free, online series supports the resilience of our global community through social emotional arts.

In accordance with our mission, with this series we aim to enhance the innate social-emotional benefits of the arts with supportive practices, such as non-judgmental language and reflection, for self-discovery, connection, and empowerment.

Visit https://uclartsandhealing.org/services/community-services/hope-series/ for more information and to access the online series.

LAUSD Parent Portal

Parental Access to Students' IEPs Through LAUSD Parent Portal

Virtual Parent Workshops - Training Materials

Supporting Students With Extensive Support Needs

Parents as Partners

Preparing for the IEP Team Meeting

Elevating Student Voice and Self-Advocacy Through Student-Led IEPs

Empowering Parents: Understanding Media and Technology Basics to Safeguard Online Experiences // Empoderar a los padres: comprender los conceptos básicos de los medios y la tecnología para proteger las experiencias en línea