Section 56000 Of Article 1. Intent From California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 30. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.
56000
. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that all individuals
with exceptional needs have a right to participate in free
appropriate public education and special educational instruction and
services for these persons are needed in order to ensure the right to
an appropriate educational opportunity to meet their unique needs.
(b) The Legislature further finds and declares that special
education is an integral part of the total public education system
and provides education in a manner that promotes maximum interaction
between children or youth with disabilities and children or youth who
are not disabled, in a manner that is appropriate to the needs of
both.
(c) The Legislature further finds and declares that special
education provides a full continuum of program options, including
instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and
institutions, and in other settings, and instruction in physical
education, to meet the educational and service needs in the least
restrictive environment.
(d) It is the intent of the Legislature to unify and improve
special education programs in California under the flexible program
design of the Master Plan for Special Education. It is the further
intent of the Legislature to ensure that all individuals with
exceptional needs are provided their rights to appropriate programs
and services which are designed to meet their unique needs under the
federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec.
1400 et seq.).
(e) It is the further intent of the Legislature that this part
does not abrogate any rights provided to individuals with exceptional
needs and their parents or guardians under the federal Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.). It is
also the intent of the Legislature that this part does not set a
higher standard of educating individuals with exceptional needs than
that established by Congress under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(f) It is the further intent of the Legislature that the Master
Plan for Special Education provide an educational opportunity for
individuals with exceptional needs that is equal to or better than
that provided prior to the implementation of programs under this
part, including, but not limited to, those provided to individuals
previously served in a development center for handicapped pupils.
(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that the restructuring of
special education programs as set forth in the Master Plan for
Special Education be implemented in accordance with this part by all
districts and county offices.