Cambrian, CA School District Promoting Adequate, Equitable and Stable Special Education Funding

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 11/13/07
Source File: https://esb.cambrian.k12.ca.us/reference_library/Attachments//8d69f9e5-0626-4cbc-ad7b-53a82b6a1413.doc
Text:
Resolution No. 07-08-10
A RESOLUTION of the Governing Board of Trustees of the Cambrian School District, calling for adequate, equitable and stable funding for special education programs and services.
WHEREAS, if all California children and youth are to reach California’s high educational standards that will allow them to succeed in school, work and life, the State must commit adequate resources to schools; and, 
WHEREAS, numerous studies have shown that California’s investment in K–12 education including basic, special, limited-English speaking, remedial and career-technical are insufficient to meet students’ needs and state and federal academic standards; and, 
WHEREAS, there is an undeniable correlation between success in school, earnings potential and crime, imprisonment and death rates; and, 
WHEREAS, special education is a federally-mandated program and children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education (FAPE); and, 
WHEREAS, California’s neutral funding formula does not reflect the true costs of providing educational services to students with disabilities; and, 
WHEREAS, the lack of sufficient federal and state funding to pay for special education services has forced local school districts to backfill $2 billion from local funds, thereby, reducing funding for programs that serve all students; and, 
WHEREAS, the California State Legislature and the federal government has consistently been urged by school agencies to address the funding crisis in special education, but only minor funding increases have been approved; and, 
WHEREAS, California should not abdicate its responsibility to assist school districts when federal funds for special education do not materialize; and, 
WHEREAS, studies have shown that appropriate early intervention services and programs at the first sign of academic difficulty have proven to greatly improve a child’s chance of success; and, 
WHEREAS, in 2005-06, nearly half of the novice special education teachers lacked full credentials; and, 
WHEREAS, children with significant disabilities require sophisticated and expensive equipment and/or technology to access curriculum and to apply what has been learned; and, 
WHEREAS, parents and children with disabilities benefit when school agencies have low cost and timely options to resolve disputes; and, 
WHEREAS, our state cannot afford to wait for more students to fail before taking decisive action; 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor, State Legislature and federal government are urged to provide adequate, equitable and stable special education funding for our schools by:
* Immediately and fully funding special education to deliver critical relief to school agencies.
* Establishing a comprehensive plan to address issues affecting special education staffing, early intervention, parent/school relationships and assistive technology.
Category:California
Category:Education
Category:Resolutions
Category:School Districts