PARENTS

Parents/Guardians

The Division of Special Education supports families of students with disabilities by offering tools, resources, and opportunities to actively participate in their child’s education. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of workshops, training sessions, and community events offered throughout the year, all designed to help support students both in and out of the classroom. We value and are committed to our partnership with parents in every step of their child’s educational journey.

Featured Guides

Foundational documents to help families understand the special education process.



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Featured Updates

For additional information, visit our News and Announcements page.

	Notice of SELPA Local Plan Review The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) hereby gives notice that the Board of Education will consider the adoption of this plan during its regular board meeting: Notice: English \| Spanish Posted: May 28, 2026 \| Category: Board Meeting
	Join us at the 2026 LAUSD Division of Special Education Family Resource Fair! Families will have the opportunity to connect with district teams, community partners, and service providers to learn about resources, supports, and tools that strengthen learning at home and support student success. Access to district and community resources that support students with disabilities Family-friendly materials and resources to take home Strategies and tools to support learning at home Additional Information: Region East Posted: February 20, 2026 \| Category: Event
	Listen and Learn Campaign In support of this commitment, LAUSD launched the Listen and Learn Campaign, an endeavor designed to gather insights from students, families, educators, and community members about the experiences of students with disabilities. Through community forums, surveys, and discussions, we engaged in meaningful conversations about special education services, inclusive practices, accessibility, and additional needs. Link to Report: English \| Spanish Posted: Spring 2025 \| Category: Policy and Guidance

Join Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

An additional opportunity to lead and collaborate.

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education is a district-wide group made up mostly of parents and guardians of children with disabilities. The committee also includes educators, school staff, students with disabilities, and community members. Together, they work to support and improve special education services across the district. The CAC shares ideas and feedback with the SELPA Director, the Board of Education, and the Superintendent’s Cabinet to help ensure students with disabilities receive the best possible support. Get involved! Consider joining the CAC and attending a regional election to learn more.

Note: 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.

Current Parent Workshops and Opportunities

Opportunities to participate, lead, learn, and connect.

Transition Parent Training

Transition teachers have designed trainings and workshops for families of high school students with disabilities. These sessions share information and resources to help prepare your child for life after high school. Families may attend any workshop, regardless of their child’s school of attendance.

Link: https://bit.ly/DOTSFECalendar

Important Parent Resources

Essential information to help families navigate the special education process.

Understanding the Process

Child Find Overview

IEP Written Translation Request

Parents have the right to receive a written translation of their child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program).

How to Request a Translation:

If you want a translated copy of the IEP, let the IEP team know during the meeting.
If you didn’t request it during the meeting, you can still ask later — just submit the request in writing to your child’s school administrator.

Timeline: The school must provide the written translated IEP within 30 days of your 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.

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.

Mail to:

Division of Special Education - Custodian of Records
333 S. Beaudry Avenue, 18th floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Email to:

[email protected]

Subject Line: Pupil Records Request, COR

Fax to: (213) 241-2417, Attn: Division of Special Education - Custodian of Records

Records Request: English | Spanish

Records Request - Fillable: English | Spanish

IEP Access via Parent Portal

Families can now view their child’s current IEP and Quarterly Service Tracking through the LAUSD Parent Portal.

How to Access Your Child’s IEP:

Visit the Parent and Community Services webpage for directions on how to register and log in. Resources are available in English and Spanish, including quick guides, FAQs, presentations, and videos.
Once logged in, click the “Special Education Services” icon.
Select the “Individualized Education Program (IEP)” link.
Your child’s current IEP will be displayed in your preferred language.

For assistance, contact your school site or the Los Angeles Unified Family Hotline at (213)443-1300.

Parent Workshop Library

Preparing for the IEP Meeting

Student-Led IEPs

Empowering Families: Intro to Special Education

Empowering Parents: Understanding Media & Technology

Visual Guide to the IEP Document

TK-12 Instruction, Parent/Guardian Resources

Exploring IEP Resolution Options

Dispute Resolution Options

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

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.

Flyer: English | Spanish

Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR)

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.

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.

Learning and Well-Being Resources

High School Diploma for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Parent Guide

Students with significant cognitive disabilities have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma that is standards-based and aligned to the state requirements through the alternate assessment exemption. Following completion of these requirements, students continue to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) up to the age of 22 or until the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team determines they have completed all LAUSD A-G diploma requirements.

Parent Guide: English | Spanish

English Learners with Disabilities

Roadmap for Social-Emotional Well-Being & Academic Success

The Roadmaps for Social-Emotional Well-Being & Academic Success were developed by educators and mental health professionals to help support the return to school after a particularly challenging time in history. We believe that parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff will all find valuable tools and resources within these guides. The Parent/Caregiver Edition offers practical strategies to help strengthen a child’s resilience by fostering their sense of safety, connectedness, self-efficacy, community efficacy, calm, and hope.

Roadmap: English | Spanish | Chinese | Armenian | Korean

UCLArts & Healing Programs

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

Website: https://uclartsandhealing.org/

Brochure: English

CAC Monthly Video Recordings

September 2025: SELPA Local Plan Overview

The purpose of the SELPA Local Plan is to ensure coordinated delivery of special education services, guaranteeing all students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

Objectives

Participants will gain a clear understanding of what SELPA is, including its purpose, and how it operates within LAUSD.
Participants will learn about the main components of the LAUSD SELPA local plan.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

CAC members, do you have questions about the presentation? Submit them here: https://bit.ly/CAC-QUESTIONS

October 2025: Transition Planning - From School to Adult Life

What Comes Next? Exploring Options for Students with Disabilities After High School
This session will help participants understand the different paths available to students with disabilities after they complete high school or age out of special education services.

Objective

Participants will learn about transition services provided to students with disabilities, including transition assessments, activities, employment preparation and collaboration with outside agencies

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

CAC members, do you have questions about the presentation? Submit them here: https://bit.ly/CAC-QUESTIONS

November 2025: Understanding Deaf Education: Supporting Every Child's Journey

How can families, educators, and community members better understand Deaf education to create inclusive, accessible, and affirming learning environments for all students?

Objective

Participants will gain a foundational understanding of Deaf education, including Deaf culture, communication modalities (e.g., American Sign Language, spoken language, bilingual approaches), and the importance of language access and early intervention.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

December 2025: The IEP Process and the Local Plan’s Role

January 2026: Supporting Your Child’s Communication Growth at Home

How can understanding school-based speech and language services, including eligibility criteria and the role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP), help me support my child’s communication growth at home?

Objectives

Participants will understand speech and language challenges that may affect a student’s learning, and how SLPs determine eligibility for speech and language services.
Participants will learn about the role of the SLP in helping students develop the communication skills needed to access their curriculum.
Participants will leave with simple, practical strategies they can use at home to support and encourage their child’s language development, whether or not their child qualifies for school-based services.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

February 2026: Understanding Executive Function and Supporting Students at Home and School

How do executive function skills impact student learning, behavior, and independence—and what practical strategies can be used in the home to support their growth?

Objectives

Participants will understand what executive function is and why it plays a critical role in learning and behavior.
Participants will recognize common executive function challenges faced by students with IEPs, including those with learning disabilities or autism.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

March 2026: Positive Behavior Supports for Home and School

How can understanding and using positive behavior supports at home strengthen our partnership with schools and increase positive student behavior?

Objectives

Participants will learn how to use task analysis, to break down and teach skills at home in ways that support and reinforce positive behavior outcomes that translate into both the home and school setting.
Participants will learn how to collaborate with school teams to align behavior supports and instructional strategies across home and school for consistency and greater effectiveness.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

April 2026: Equity, Inclusion and Access in the Local Plan

How can families, educators, and schools work together to ensure equitable access, meaningful inclusion, and appropriate support for students with disabilities in both core and modified core curriculum pathways?

Objectives

Participants will understand the differences between core and modified core curriculum pathways, and how equity, inclusion, and access principles apply uniquely to each within the special education context.
Participants will identify strategies and resources for families that promote academic and social success for students.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

May 2026: Identifying and Understanding Your Child’s Needs

What is the early intervention and special education intake assessment process, and how can parents use it to better understand their child’s strengths and needs while ensuring access to appropriate support and services?

Objectives

Participants will understand the steps and purpose of the special education intake assessment process.
Participants will learn how eligibility is determined and what areas of development are evaluated.
Participants will know how assessments guide services and collaborate with professionals to develop appropriate IEPs that align with students’ unique strengths and needs.

Presentation: Bilingual

Video: English | Spanish

Budget Informational Session