California Content Standards: To obtain a copy of the content standards for each grade level, go to the California State Board of Education website.
California Special Education Programs, a Composite of Laws (31st Edition): Every parent of a child who is eligible for special education should have a copy of this. Click on the link and obtain your free copy.
Teacher Qualifications: Both the ‘No Child Left Behind’ Act and the newly reauthorized IDEA raise the standards for teacher qualifications. To find out the qualifications of your child’s teacher, go to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
CARS Handbook of Goals and Objectives: The California Association of Resource Specialists and Special Education Teachers has developed an very useful handbook that provides grade level guides to developing goals and objectives that are tied to the California Content Standards and the California High School Exit Exam. To obtain a copy go to: California Association of Resource Specialists and Special Education Teachers
Special Education Rights and Resposibilities Handbook
Protection and Advocacy Inc. (“PAI”) has a number of outstanding publications available, including this excellent handbook. To download a free copy go to: Pai Website
Office of Administrative Hearings: The Office of Administrative Hearings is a quasi-judicial tribunal. OAH provides adjudicatory, mediation, and settlement services throughout the state to school districts and parents of special needs children. OAH decisions, orders, and forms can be found at the OAH website.
Wrights Law
Wrightslaw is an outstanding resource for all national special education issues. Not only does it have very useful content, but it also provides updates on the latest developments in special education across the nation and has several publications that are geared specifically to parents. http://www.wrightslaw.com/
OSEP IDEAS THAT WORK
The Office of Special Education (OSEP), which is part of the U.S. Department of Education, has established a website called OSEP Ideas That Work, which has interesting resources for parents. To get to the OSEP Ideas That Work website go to: http://www.osepideasthatwork.org
Directory of Regional Centers: California has 21 regional centers with more than 40 offices located throughout the state that serve individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
PRO BONO REPRESENTATION
The following agencies offer legal assistance to financially qualified individuals at little or no cost:
Learning Rights Law Center: (213) 489-4030
www.learningrights.org
Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC): 213-736-1334
www.disabilityrightscenter.org
Protection and Advocacy (PAI): (213) 427-8747
TASK (Team of Advocates for Special Kids): (714) 533-TASK
OCRA, Office of Clients Rights Advocacy: (800) 390-7032