Article 4. Implementation of California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 30. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 4.

Each special education local plan area shall ensure that a continuum of program options is available to meet the needs of individuals with exceptional needs for special education and related services, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) and federal regulations relating thereto.

The continuum of program options shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all of the following or any combination of the following:
  (a) Regular education programs consistent with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 1412 of Title 20 of the United States Code and implementing regulations.
  (b) A resource specialist program pursuant to Section 56362.
  (c) Designated instruction and services pursuant to Section 56363.
  (d) Special classes pursuant to Section 56364.2.
  (e) Nonpublic, nonsectarian school services pursuant to Section 56365.
  (f) State special schools pursuant to Section 56367.
  (g) Instruction in settings other than classrooms where specially designed instruction may occur.
  (h) Itinerant instruction in classrooms, resource rooms, and settings other than classrooms where specially designed instruction may occur to the extent required by federal law or regulation.
  (i) Instruction using telecommunication, and instruction in the home, in hospitals, and in other institutions to the extent required by federal law or regulation.

All special education and related services for any individual with exceptional needs who is younger than three years of age shall be provided pursuant to Chapter 4.4 (commencing with Section 56425).

(a) In addition to the continuum of program options listed in Section 56361, a local educational agency may contract with a hospital to provide designated instruction and services, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 56363, required by the individual with exceptional needs, as specified in the individualized education program. However, a local educational agency shall not contract with a sectarian hospital for instructional services. A local educational agency shall contract with a hospital for designated instruction and services required by the individual with exceptional needs only when no appropriate public education program is available. For purposes of this section, "hospital" means a health care facility licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services.
  (b) Contracts with hospitals pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be subject to the procedures prescribed in Sections 56365, 56366, and 56366.5.

(a) The resource specialist program shall provide, but not be limited to, all of the following:
  (1) Provision for a resource specialist or specialists who shall provide instruction and services for those pupils whose needs have been identified in an individualized education program developed by the individualized education program team and who are assigned to regular classroom teachers for a majority of a schoolday.
  (2) Provision of information and assistance to individuals with exceptional needs and their parents.
  (3) Provision of consultation, resource information, and material regarding individuals with exceptional needs to their parents and to regular staff members.
  (4) Coordination of special education services with the regular school programs for each individual with exceptional needs enrolled in the resource specialist program.
  (5) Monitoring of pupil progress on a regular basis, participation in the review and revision of individualized education programs, as appropriate, and referral of pupils who do not demonstrate appropriate progress to the individualized education program team.
  (6) Emphasis at the secondary school level on academic achievement, career and vocational development, and preparation for adult life.
  (b) The resource specialist program shall be under the direction of a resource specialist who is a credentialed special education teacher, or who has a clinical services credential with a special class authorization, who has had three or more years of teaching experience, including both regular and special education teaching experience, as defined by rules and regulations of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and who has demonstrated the competencies for a resource specialist, as established by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
  (c) Caseloads for resource specialists shall be stated in the local policies developed pursuant to Section 56195.8 and in accordance with regulations established by the board. No resource specialist shall have a caseload which exceeds 28 pupils.
  (d) Resource specialists shall not simultaneously be assigned to serve as resource specialists and to teach regular classes.
  (e) Resource specialists shall not enroll a pupil for a majority of a schoolday without approval by the pupil's individualized education program team.
  (f) At least 80 percent of the resource specialists within a local plan shall be provided with an instructional aide.

For the purposes of Section 56362, "caseload" shall include, but not be limited to, all pupils for whom the resource specialist performs any of the services described in subdivision (a) of Section 56362.

By July 1982, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing shall adopt rules and regulations for a resource specialist certificate of competence. The certificate shall provide all the following:
  (a) Definition of the competencies required of a resource specialist.
  (b) Provision for a system of direct application to the commission for a certificate of competence for each teacher who holds a valid special education credential, other than an emergency credential, and who satisfies any one of the following criteria:
  (1) Provided instruction and services as specified in subdivision (a) of Section 80070.1 of Title 5 of the California Administrative Code as it read immediately prior to July 28, 1980, for two years prior to September 1, 1981.
  (2) Provided instruction and services as specified in subdivision (b) of Section 80070.2 of Title 5 of the California Administrative Code as it read immediately prior to July 28, 1980, for two years prior to June 30, 1983.
  (c) Provision for the issuance, for up to three years, of a preliminary nonrenewable certificate of competence for the resource specialist, and adoption of the standards for the issuance and continuing validity of such a certificate.
  (d) Establishment of a system for verification of competencies through both of the following:
  (1) Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved institution of higher education resource specialist certificate program.
  (2) Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved competency assessment panels for resource specialist certification.
  (e) Cooperation with the department in implementing these provisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who held a preliminary resource specialist certificate of competence on January 28, 1982, and who met the requirements for a clear resource specialist certificate of competence as specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) may be issued a clear resource specialist certificate of competence upon submission of a completed application, but without any additional fee.

(a) The Legislature recognizes the need for specially trained professionals to assess and serve pupils of limited English proficiency. This is particularly true of pupils with exceptional needs or pupils with suspected disabilities.
  (b) The commission shall develop a bilingual-crosscultural certificate of assessment competence for those professionals who may participate in assessments for placements in special education programs. The certificate shall be issued to holders of appropriate credentials, certificates, or authorizations who demonstrate, by written and oral examination, all of the following:
  (1) That the person is competent in both the oral and written skills of a language other than English.
  (2) That the person has both the knowledge and understanding of the cultural and historical heritage of the limited-English-proficient individuals to be served.
  (3) That the person has the ability to perform the assessment functions the candidate is certified or authorized to perform in English and in a language other than English.
  (4) That the person has knowledge of the use of instruments and other assessment techniques appropriate to evaluate limited-English-proficient individuals with exceptional needs and ability to develop appropriate data, instructional strategies, individualized education programs, and evaluations.
  (c) Certificates of bilingual-crosscultural competence for special education professionals who implement individual education plans requiring bilingual services shall be granted by the commission pursuant to Section 44253.7.
  (d) It is not the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section that possession of any certificate established by this section be a state-mandated requirement for employment or continued employment. It is the intent that this is a matter for local educational agencies to determine.

(a) As used in this part, the term "designated instruction and services" means "related services" as that term is defined in Section 1401(26) of Title 20 of the United States Code and Section 300.34 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The term "related services" means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services (including speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, school nurse services designed to enable an individual with exceptional needs to receive a free appropriate public education as described in the individualized education program of the child, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation, and mobility services, and medical services, except that such medical services shall be for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only) as may be required to assist an individual with exceptional needs to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children.
  (b) These services may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  (1) Language and speech development and remediation. The language and speech development and remediation services may be provided by a speech-language pathology assistant as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 2530.2 of the Business and Professions Code.
  (2) Audiological services.
  (3) Orientation and mobility services.
  (4) Instruction in the home or hospital.
  (5) Adapted physical education.
  (6) Physical and occupational therapy.
  (7) Vision services.
  (8) Specialized driver training instruction.
  (9) Counseling and guidance services, including rehabilitation counseling.
  (10) Psychological services other than assessment and development of the individualized education program.
  (11) Parent counseling and training.
  (12) Health and nursing services, including school nurse services designed to enable an individual with exceptional needs to receive a free appropriate public education as described in the individualized education program.
  (13) Social worker services.
  (14) Specially designed vocational education and career development.
  (15) Recreation services.
  (16) Specialized services for low-incidence disabilities, such as readers, transcribers, and vision and hearing services.
  (17) Interpreting services.
  (c) The terms "designated instruction and services" and "related services" do not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, including cochlear implants, the optimization of the functioning of a medical device, maintenance of that device, or the replacement of that device, pursuant to Section 300.34(b) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In accordance with Section 300.34(b) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, nothing in this subdivision shall do any of the following:
  (1) Limit the right of an individual with exceptional needs with a surgically implanted device, including a cochlear implant, to receive related services or designated instruction and services that are determined by the individualized education program team to be necessary for the individual to receive a free appropriate public education.
  (2) Limit the responsibility of a local educational agency to appropriately monitor and maintain medical devices that are needed to maintain the health and safety of the individual, including breathing, nutrition, or operation of other bodily functions, while the individual is transported to and from school or is at school.
  (3) Prevent the routine checking of an external component of a surgically implanted device to make sure it is functioning properly, as required by Section 300.113(b) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

A local educational agency is not required to purchase medical equipment for an individual pupil. However, the local educational agency is responsible for providing other specialized equipment for use at school that is needed to implement the individualized education program. For purposes of this section, "medical equipment" does not include an assistive technology device, as defined in Section 1401(1) of Title 20 of the United States Code.

The average caseload for language, speech, and hearing specialists in special education local plan areas shall not exceed 55 cases, unless the local plan specifies a higher average caseload and the reasons for the greater average caseload.

Pursuant to Section 300.154(d)(2)(iv) and (v) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if an individual with exceptional needs is covered by public benefits or insurance, a public agency may use Medicaid, other public benefits, or insurance programs in which a pupil participates to provide or pay for the services required by this part, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), and Part 300 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if both of the following conditions are met:
  (a) The public agency provides written notification to the pupil's parents.
  (b) The public agency obtains written parental consent before accessing the pupil's or parents' public benefits or insurance for the first time, and annually thereafter.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56364.2, pupils with low incidence disabilities may receive all or a portion of their instruction in the regular classroom and may also be enrolled in special classes taught by appropriately credentialed teachers who serve these pupils at one or more schoolsites. The instruction shall be provided in a manner which is consistent with the guidelines adopted pursuant to Section 56136 and in accordance with the individualized education program.

(a) Special classes that serve pupils with similar and more intensive educational needs shall be available. The special classes may enroll pupils only when the nature or severity of the disability of the individual with exceptional needs is such that education in the regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services, including curriculum modification and behavioral support, cannot be achieved satisfactorily. These requirements also apply to separate schooling, or other removal of individuals with exceptional needs from the regular educational environment.
  (b) In providing or arranging for the provision of activities, each public agency shall ensure that each individual with exceptional needs participates in those activities with nondisabled pupils to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of the individual with exceptional needs, including nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities. Special classes shall meet standards adopted by the board.
  (c) This section shall only apply to special education local plan areas that have had a revised local plan approved pursuant to Section 56836.03.

(a) Services provided by nonpublic, nonsectarian schools, as defined pursuant to Section 56034, and nonpublic, nonsectarian agencies, as defined pursuant to Section 56035, shall be made available. These services shall be provided pursuant to Section 56366, and in accordance with Section 300.146 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, under contract with the local educational agency to provide the appropriate special educational facilities, special education, or designated instruction and services required by the individual with exceptional needs if no appropriate public education program is available.
  (b) Pupils enrolled in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools and agencies under this section shall be deemed to be enrolled in public schools for all purposes of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 41600) of Part 24 of Division 3 and Section 42238.02. The local educational agency shall be eligible to receive allowances under Articles 3 (commencing with Section 56836.165) and 4 (commencing with Section 56836.20) of Chapter 7.2 for services that are provided to individuals with exceptional needs pursuant to the contract.
  (c) If the state participates in the federal program of assistance for state-operated or state-supported programs for individuals with exceptional needs (Public Law 89-313, Sec. 6), pupils enrolled in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools shall be deemed to be enrolled in state-supported institutions for all purposes of that program and shall be eligible to receive allowances under Chapter 7.2 (commencing with Section 56836) for supplemental services provided to individuals with exceptional needs pursuant to a contract with a local educational agency. In order to participate in the federal program, the state shall find that participation will not result in any additional expenditures from the General Fund.
  (d) The local educational agency shall pay to the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency the full amount of the tuition for individuals with exceptional needs that are enrolled in programs provided by the nonpublic, nonsectarian school pursuant to the contract.
  (e) Before contracting with a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency outside of this state, the local educational agency shall document its efforts to utilize public schools or to locate an appropriate nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency program, or both, within the state.
  (f) If a local educational agency places a pupil with a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency outside of this state, the pupil's individualized education program team shall submit a report to the Superintendent within 15 days of the placement decision. The report shall include information about the special education and related services provided by the out-of-state program placement and the costs of the special education and related services provided, and shall indicate the efforts of the local educational agency to locate an appropriate public school or nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, or a combination thereof, within the state. The Superintendent shall submit a report to the board on all placements made outside of this state.
  (g) If a local educational agency decides to place a pupil with a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency outside of this state, that local educational agency shall indicate the anticipated date for the return of the pupil to a public or nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency placement, or a combination thereof, located in the state and shall document efforts during the previous placement year to return the pupil.
  (h) In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 56366.1, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that operates a program outside of this state shall be certified or licensed by that state to provide, respectively, special education and related services and designated instruction and related services to pupils under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
  (i) A nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that is located outside of this state is eligible for certification pursuant to Section 56366.1 only if a pupil is enrolled in a program operated by that school or agency pursuant to the recommendation of an individualized education program team in California, and if that pupil's parents or guardians reside in California.
  (j) In accordance with Section 300.147(b) and (c) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the department shall disseminate copies of applicable standards to each nonpublic, nonsectarian school and nonpublic, nonsectarian agency to which a local educational agency has referred or placed an individual with exceptional needs and shall provide an opportunity for those nonpublic, nonsectarian schools and nonpublic, nonsectarian agencies to participate in the development and revision of state standards that apply to those entities.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the role of a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall be maintained and continued as an alternative special education service available to a local educational agency and parents.
  (a) The master contract for nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency services shall be developed in accordance with the following provisions:
  (1) The master contract shall specify the general administrative and financial agreements, including teacher-to-pupil ratios, between the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency and the local educational agency to provide the special education and designated instruction and services, as well as transportation specified in each pupil's individualized education program. The administrative provisions of the contract also shall include procedures for recordkeeping and documentation, and the maintenance of school records by the contracting local educational agency to ensure that appropriate high school graduation credit is received by each pupil. The contract may allow for partial or full-time attendance at the nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
  (2) (A) The master contract shall include an individual services agreement for each pupil placed by a local educational agency that will be negotiated for the length of time for which nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency special education and designated instruction and services are specified in the pupil's individualized education program.
  (B) The master contract shall include a description of the process being utilized by the local educational agency to oversee and evaluate placements in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools, as required by federal law. This description shall include a method for evaluating whether each pupil is making appropriate educational progress. At least once every year, the local educational agency shall do all of the following and, to the extent possible, the following shall be conducted as part of the development and provision of an individualized education program:
  (i) Evaluate the educational progress of each pupil placed in a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, including all state assessment results pursuant to the requirements of Section 52052.
  (ii) Consider whether or not the needs of the pupil continue to be best met at the nonpublic, nonsectarian school and whether changes to the individualized education program of the pupil are necessary, including whether the pupil may be transitioned to a public school setting. This consideration shall be made at the meeting required by subdivision (d) of Section 56343.
  (C) In the case of a nonpublic, nonsectarian school that is owned, operated by, or associated with a licensed children's institution, the master contract shall include a method for evaluating whether the nonpublic, nonsectarian school is in compliance with the mandate set forth in Section 56366.9 of this code and subdivision (b) of Section 1501.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
  (3) (A) Changes in educational instruction, services, or placement provided under contract may only be made on the basis of revisions to a pupil's individualized education program.
  (B) At any time during the term of the contract or individual services agreement, the parent, the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, or the local educational agency may request a review of a pupil's individualized education program by the individualized education program team. Changes in the administrative or financial agreements of the master contract that do not alter the individual services agreement that outlines each pupil's educational instruction, services, or placement may be made at any time during the term of the contract as mutually agreed by the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency and the local educational agency.
  (4) The master contract or individual services agreement may be terminated for cause. The cause shall not be the availability of a public class initiated during the period of the contract unless the parent agrees to the transfer of the pupil to a public school program. To terminate the contract either party shall give 20 days' notice.
  (5) The nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall provide all services specified in an individualized education program, unless the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency and the local educational agency agree otherwise in the contract or individual services agreement.
  (6) Related services provided pursuant to a nonpublic, nonsectarian agency master contract shall only be provided during the period of a pupil's regular or extended school year program, or both, unless otherwise specified by the pupil's individualized education program.
  (7) The nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall report attendance of pupils receiving special education and designated instruction and services, as defined by Section 46307, for purposes of submitting a warrant for tuition to each contracting local educational agency.
  (8) (A) A nonpublic, nonsectarian school is subject to the alternative accountability system developed pursuant to Section 52052 in the same manner as public schools and each pupil placed in the nonpublic, nonsectarian school by a local educational agency shall be tested by qualified staff of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school in accordance with that accountability program. The test results shall be reported by the nonpublic, nonsectarian school to the department.
  (B) Beginning with the 2006-07 school year testing cycle, each nonpublic, nonsectarian school shall determine its California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress period subject to subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 60640. The nonpublic, nonsectarian school shall determine this period based on completion of 85 percent of the instructional year at that nonpublic, nonsectarian school, plus and minus 10 days, resulting in a 21-day period. Each nonpublic, nonsectarian school shall notify the district of residence of a pupil enrolled in the school of its testing period. Staff at the nonpublic, nonsectarian school who administer the assessments shall attend the regular testing training sessions provided by the district of residence. If staff from a nonpublic, nonsectarian school have received training from one local educational agency, that training shall be sufficient for all local educational agencies that send pupils to the nonpublic, nonsectarian school. The district of residence shall order testing materials for its pupils that have been placed in the nonpublic, nonsectarian school. The board shall adopt regulations to facilitate the distribution of and collection of testing materials.
  (9) With respect to a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, the school shall prepare a school accountability report card in accordance with Section 33126.
  (b) (1) The master contract or individual services agreement shall not include special education transportation provided through the use of services or equipment owned, leased, or contracted by a local educational agency for pupils enrolled in the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency unless provided directly or subcontracted by that nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.
  (2) The Superintendent shall withhold 20 percent of the amount apportioned to a local educational agency for costs related to the provision of nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency placements if the Superintendent finds that the local educational agency is in noncompliance with this subdivision. This amount shall be withheld from the apportionments in the fiscal year following the Superintendent's finding of noncompliance. The Superintendent shall take other appropriate actions to prevent noncompliant practices from occurring and report to the Legislature on those actions.
  (c) (1) If a pupil is enrolled in a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency with the approval of the local educational agency prior to agreement to a contract or individual services agreement, the local educational agency shall issue a warrant, upon submission of an attendance report and claim, for an amount equal to the number of creditable days of attendance at the per diem tuition rate agreed upon prior to the enrollment of the pupil. This provision shall be allowed for 90 days during which time the contract shall be consummated.
  (2) If after 60 days the master contract or individual services agreement has not been finalized as prescribed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), either party may appeal to the county superintendent of schools, if the county superintendent of schools is not participating in the local plan involved in the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency contract, or the Superintendent, if the county superintendent of schools is participating in the local plan involved in the contract, to negotiate the contract. Within 30 days of receipt of this appeal, the county superintendent of schools or the Superintendent, or his or her designee, shall mediate the formulation of a contract, which shall be binding upon both parties.
  (d) A master contract for special education and related services provided by a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency may not be authorized under this part, unless the school or agency has been certified as meeting those standards relating to the required special education and specified related services and facilities for individuals with exceptional needs. The certification shall result in the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency receiving approval to educate pupils under this part for a period no longer than 18 months from the date of the initial approval.
  (e) By September 30, 1998, the procedures, methods, and regulations for the purposes of contracting for nonpublic, nonsectarian school and agency services pursuant to this section and for reimbursement pursuant to Sections 56836.165 and 56836.20 shall be developed by the Superintendent in consultation with statewide organizations representing providers of special education and designated instruction and services. The regulations shall be established by rules and regulations issued by the board.

(a) A nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that seeks certification shall file an application with the Superintendent on forms provided by the department, and shall include all of the following information on the application:
  (1) A description of the special education and designated instruction and services provided to individuals with exceptional needs if the application is for nonpublic, nonsectarian school certification.
  (2) A description of the designated instruction and services provided to individuals with exceptional needs if the application is for nonpublic, nonsectarian agency certification.
  (3) A list of appropriately qualified staff, a description of the credential, license, or registration that qualifies each staff member rendering special education or designated instruction and services to do so, and copies of their credentials, licenses, or certificates of registration with the appropriate state or national organization that has established standards for the service rendered.
  (4) An annual operating budget.
  (5) Affidavits and assurances necessary to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations that include criminal record summaries required of all nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency personnel having contact with minor children under Section 44237.
  (b) (1) The applicant shall provide the special education local plan area in which the applicant is located with the written notification of its intent to seek certification or renewal of its certification. The local educational agency representatives shall acknowledge that they have been notified of the intent to certify or renew certification. The acknowledgment shall include a statement that representatives of the local educational agency for the area in which the applicant is located have had the opportunity to review the application at least 60 calendar days before submission of an initial application to the Superintendent, or at least 30 calendar days before submission of a renewal application to the Superintendent. The acknowledgment shall provide assurances that local educational agency representatives have had the opportunity to provide input on all required components of the application.
  (2) If the local educational agency has not acknowledged an applicant's intent to be certified 60 calendar days from the date of submission for initial applications or 30 calendar days from the date of the return receipt for renewal applications, the applicant may file the application with the Superintendent.
  (3) The department shall provide electronic notification of the availability of renewal application materials to certified nonpublic, nonsectarian schools and agencies at least 120 days before the date their current certification expires.
  (c) If the applicant operates a facility or program on more than one site, each site shall be certified.
  (d) If the applicant is part of a larger program or facility on the same site, the Superintendent shall consider the effect of the total program on the applicant. A copy of the policies and standards for the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency and the larger program shall be available to the Superintendent.
  (e) (1) Before certification, the Superintendent shall conduct an onsite review of the facility and program for which the applicant seeks certification. The Superintendent may be assisted by representatives of the special education local plan area in which the applicant is located and a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency representative who does not have a conflict of interest with the applicant. The Superintendent shall conduct an additional onsite review of the facility and program within three years of the effective date of the certification, unless the Superintendent conditionally certifies the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, or unless the Superintendent receives a formal complaint against the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency. In the latter two cases, the Superintendent shall conduct an onsite review at least annually.
  (2) In carrying out this subdivision, the Superintendent may verify that the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency has received a successful criminal background check clearance and has enrolled in subsequent arrest notice service, pursuant to Section 44237, for each owner, operator, and employee of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.
  (f) The Superintendent shall make a determination on an application within 120 days of receipt of the application and shall certify, conditionally certify, or deny certification to the applicant. If the Superintendent fails to take one of these actions within 120 days, the applicant is automatically granted conditional certification for a period terminating on August 31 of the current school year. If certification is denied, the Superintendent shall provide reasons for the denial. The Superintendent shall not certify the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency for a period longer than one year.
  (g) Certification becomes effective on the date the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency meets all the application requirements and is approved by the Superintendent. Certification may be retroactive if the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency met all the requirements of this section on the date the retroactive certification is effective. Certification expires on December 31 of the terminating year.
  (h) The Superintendent annually shall review the certification of each nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency. For this purpose, a certified nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency annually shall update its application between August 1 and October 31, unless the state board grants a waiver pursuant to Section 56101. The Superintendent may conduct an onsite review as part of the annual review.
  (i) (1) The Superintendent shall conduct an investigation of a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency onsite at any time without prior notice if there is substantial reason to believe that there is an immediate danger to the health, safety, or welfare of a child. The Superintendent shall document the concern and submit it to the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency at the time of the onsite investigation. The Superintendent shall require a written response to any noncompliance or deficiency found.
  (2) With respect to a nonpublic, nonsectarian school, the Superintendent shall conduct an investigation, which may include an unannounced onsite visit, if the Superintendent receives evidence of a significant deficiency in the quality of educational services provided, a violation of Section 56366.9, or noncompliance with the policies expressed by subdivision (b) of Section 1501 of the Health and Safety Code by the nonpublic, nonsectarian school. The Superintendent shall document the complaint and the results of the investigation and shall provide copies of the documentation to the complainant, the nonpublic, nonsectarian school, and the contracting local educational agency.
  (3) Violations or noncompliance documented pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) shall be reflected in the status of the certification of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, at the discretion of the Superintendent, pending an approved plan of correction by the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency. The department shall retain for a period of 10 years all violations pertaining to certification of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.
  (4) In carrying out this subdivision, the Superintendent may verify that the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency received a successful criminal background check clearance and has enrolled in subsequent arrest notice service, pursuant to Section 44237, for each owner, operator, and employee of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.
  (j) The Superintendent shall monitor the facilities, the educational environment, and the quality of the educational program, including the teaching staff, the credentials authorizing service, the standards-based core curriculum being employed, and the standards-focused instructional materials used, of an existing certified nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency on a three-year cycle, as follows:
  (1) The nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall complete a self-review in year one.
  (2) The Superintendent shall conduct an onsite review of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency in year two.
  (3) The Superintendent shall conduct a followup visit to the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency in year three.
  (k) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the Superintendent shall not certify a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that proposes to initiate or expand services to pupils currently educated in the immediate prior fiscal year in a juvenile court program, community school pursuant to Section 56150, or other nonspecial education program, including independent study or adult school, or both, unless the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency notifies the county superintendent of schools and the special education local plan area in which the proposed new or expanded nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency is located of its intent to seek certification.
  (2) The notification shall occur no later than the December 1 before the new fiscal year in which the proposed or expanding school or agency intends to initiate services. The notice shall include the following:
  (A) The specific date upon which the proposed nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency is to be established.
  (B) The location of the proposed program or facility.
  (C) The number of pupils proposed for services, the number of pupils currently served in the juvenile court, community school, or other nonspecial education program, the current school services including special education and related services provided for these pupils, and the specific program of special education and related services to be provided under the proposed program.
  (D) The reason for the proposed change in services.
  (E) The number of staff who will provide special education and designated instruction and services and hold a current valid California credential or license in the service rendered.
  (3) In addition to the requirements in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, the Superintendent shall require and consider the following in determining whether to certify a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency as described in this subdivision:
  (A) A complete statement of the information required as part of the notice under paragraph (1).
  (B) Documentation of the steps taken in preparation for the conversion to a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, including information related to changes in the population to be served and the services to be provided pursuant to each pupil's individualized education program.
  (4) Notwithstanding any other law, the certification becomes effective no earlier than July 1 if the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency provided the notification required pursuant to paragraph (1).
  (l) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the Superintendent shall not certify or renew the certification of a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency, unless all of the following conditions are met:
  (A) The entity operating the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency maintains separate financial records for each entity that it operates, with each nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency identified separately from any licensed children's institution that it operates.
  (B) The entity submits an annual budget that identifies the projected costs and revenues for each entity and demonstrates that the rates to be charged are reasonable to support the operation of the entity.
  (C) The entity submits an entitywide annual audit that identifies its costs and revenues, by entity, in accordance with generally accepted accounting and auditing principles. The audit shall clearly document the amount of moneys received and expended on the educational program provided by the nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
  (D) The relationship between various entities operated by the same entity are documented, defining the responsibilities of the entities. The documentation shall clearly identify the services to be provided as part of each program, for example, the residential or medical program, the mental health program, or the educational program. The entity shall not seek funding from a public agency for a service, either separately or as part of a package of services, if the service is funded by another public agency, either separately or as part of a package of services.
  (2) For purposes of this section, "licensed children's institution" has the same meaning as it is defined by Section 56155.5.
  (m) (1) The nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall be charged a reasonable fee for certification. The Superintendent may adjust the fee annually commensurate with the statewide average percentage inflation adjustment computed for local control funding formula allocations pursuant to Section 42238.02, as implemented by Section 42238.03, of unified school districts with greater than 1,500 units of average daily attendance if the percentage increase is reflected in the school district local control funding formula allocation pursuant to Section 42238.02, as implemented by Section 42238.03, for inflation purposes. For purposes of this section, the base fee shall be the following:

(1) 1-5 pupils ................. $ 300 (2) 6-10 pupils ................ 500 (3) 11-24 pupils ............... 1,000 (4) 25-75 pupils ............... 1,500 (5) 76 pupils and over ......... 2,000

(2) The nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall pay this fee when it applies for certification and when it updates its application for annual renewal by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall use these fees to conduct onsite reviews, which may include field experts. A fee shall not be refunded if the application is withdrawn or is denied by the Superintendent.
  (n) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, only those nonpublic, nonsectarian schools or agencies that provide special education and designated instruction and services using staff who hold a certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which staff in a public school are required to hold in the service rendered are eligible to receive certification. Only those nonpublic, nonsectarian schools or agencies located outside of California that employ staff who hold a current valid credential or license to render special education and related services as required by that state shall be eligible to be certified.
  (2) The state board shall develop regulations to implement this subdivision.
  (o) In addition to meeting the standards adopted by the state board, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall provide written assurances that it meets all applicable standards relating to fire, health, sanitation, and building safety.
  (p) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (n) of Section 44237, and for purposes of enabling the Superintendent to carry out his or her duties pursuant to this section, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall, upon demand, make available to the Superintendent evidence of a successful criminal background check clearance and enrollment in subsequent arrest notice service, conducted pursuant to Section 44237, for each owner, operator, and employee of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.
  (2) The nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency shall retain the evidence and store it in a locked file separate from other files.

(a) A local educational agency, nonpublic, nonsectarian school, or nonpublic, nonsectarian agency may petition the Superintendent to waive one or more of the requirements under Sections 56365, 56366, 56366.3, and 56366.6. The petition shall state the reasons for the waiver request, and shall include the following:
  (1) Sufficient documentation to demonstrate that the waiver is necessary to the content and implementation of a specific pupil's individualized education program and the pupil's current placement.
  (2) The period of time that the waiver will be effective during any one school year.
  (3) Documentation and assurance that the waiver does not abrogate any right provided to individuals with exceptional needs and their parents or guardians under state or federal law, and does not hinder the compliance of a local educational agency with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), and federal regulations relating to those acts.
  (b) No waiver shall be granted for reimbursement of those costs prohibited under Article 4 (commencing with Section 56836.20) of Chapter 7.2 of Part 30 or for the certification requirements pursuant to Section 56366.1 unless approved by the board pursuant to Section 56101.
  (c) In submitting the annual report on waivers granted under Section 56101 and this section to the board, the Superintendent shall specify information related to the provision of special education and related services to individuals with exceptional needs through contracts with nonpublic, nonsectarian schools and agencies located in the state, nonpublic, nonsectarian school and agency placements in facilities located out of state, and the specific section waived pursuant to this section.

(a) No contract for special education and related services provided by a nonpublic, nonsectarian agency shall be reimbursed by the state pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 56836.20) of Chapter 7.2 and Section 56836.165 if the contract covers special education and related services, administration, or supervision by an individual who is or was an employee of a contracting local educational agency within the last 365 days. Former contracting agency personnel may be employed by a nonpublic, nonsectarian agency if the personnel were involuntarily terminated or laid off as part of necessary staff reductions from the local educational agency.
  (b) This section does not apply to any person who is able to provide designated instruction and services during the extended school year because he or she is otherwise employed for up to 10 months of the school year by the local educational agency.

(a) The Superintendent may revoke or suspend the certification of a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency for any of the following reasons:
  (1) Violation of an applicable state or federal rule or regulation, or aiding, abetting, or permitting the violation of an applicable state or federal rule or regulation.
  (2) Falsification or intentional misrepresentation of an element of the application, pupil records, or program presented for certification purposes.
  (3) Conduct in the operation or maintenance of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that is harmful to the health, welfare, or safety of an individual with exceptional needs.
  (4) Failure to comply with a provision in the contract with the local educational entity.
  (5) Failure to notify the department in writing of any of the following within 45 days of the occurrence:
  (A) Changes in credentialed, licensed, or registered staff who render special education and related services, ownership, management, or control of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.
  (B) Major modification or relocation of facilities.
  (C) Significant modification of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency program.
  (6) Failure to implement recommendations and compliance requirements following an onsite review of the school or agency.
  (7) Failure to provide appropriate services, supplies, equipment, or facilities for a pupil as required in his or her individualized education program.
  (8) Failure to notify the Superintendent in writing within 10 days of the revocation or suspension of a license or permit, including, but not limited to, a residential care license, business license, or other required license or permit.
  (9) Failure to implement a pupil's individualized education program.
  (10) Failure to notify the Superintendent in writing within 10 days of the death of a pupil or any other individual of unnatural causes within the school or agency, including the circumstances surrounding the death and appropriate preventative measures being taken or recommended.
  (b) The Superintendent shall notify contracting local educational agencies and the special education local plan area in which the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency is located of the determination to suspend or revoke state certification.
  (c) If the Superintendent determines that a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency has violated the certification requirements pursuant to this section and revokes the certification, the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency; the site administrator, business, organization, or entity involved in the administration of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency whose certification was revoked; and the site administrator, business, organization, or entity whose nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency certification was revoked at any time previously, shall not be eligible to apply for recertification of the school or agency for two full years from the date of revocation.

(a) Upon receipt of a request from a nonpublic, nonsectarian school for payment for services provided under a contract entered into pursuant to Sections 56365 and 56366, the local educational agency shall either (1) send a warrant for the amount requested within 45 days, or (2) notify the nonpublic, nonsectarian school within 10 working days of any reason why the requested payment shall not be paid.
  (b) If the local educational agency fails to comply with subdivision (a), the nonpublic, nonsectarian school may require the local educational agency to pay an additional amount of 1 1/2 percent of the unpaid balance per month until full payment is made. The local educational agency may not claim reimbursement from the state for the additional amount pursuant to any provision of law, including any provision contained in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 2201) of Part 4 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
  (c) Any educational funds received from a local educational agency for the educational costs of individuals with exceptional needs it has placed in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools shall be used solely for those purposes and not for the costs of a residential program.

(a) Within 20 working days following the nonpublic, nonsectarian school's or agency's receipt of the notice of denial, revocation, or suspension of certification, the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency may file a written petition to request a review of the decision by the superintendent. The petition may include written arguments or a request to present an oral argument.
  (b) Within 30 working days after the receipt of the written petition, the superintendent or a designee shall review the decision and the applicant's petition and render a written, reasoned decision that shall be the final administrative decision. The designee of the superintendent shall be impartial, unbiased, and shall not have participated in the department decision to deny, revoke, or suspend the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency certification.
  (c) Any public education agency that contracts with a certified nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency may request the superintendent to review the status of the nonpublic school or agency. The request shall be in writing and a copy sent to the nonpublic school or agency.

The department, as a part of its certification process and complaint investigation process for nonpublic, nonsectarian schools or agencies shall do all of the following:
  (a) Provide advance notice of certification reviews to the contracting local educational agency, and to the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency under certification review.
  (b) Provide advance notice of complaint investigations to the contracting local educational agency.
  (c) Include the contracting local educational agency in certification reviews and complaint investigations.
  (d) Transmit final reports of certification reviews and complaint investigations to local educational agencies, placement agencies, and other public educational agencies that contract with the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency.

A licensed children's institution at which individuals with exceptional needs reside shall not require as a condition of residential placement that it provide the appropriate educational programs to those individuals through a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency owned, operated by, or associated with, a licensed children's institution. Those services may only be provided if the special education local plan area determines that appropriate public alternative educational programs are not available. A licensed children's institution shall not refer a pupil to, or place a pupil in, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school.

In addition to the certification requirements set forth in Sections 56366 and 56366.1, a nonpublic, nonsectarian school that provides special education and related services to an individual with exceptional needs shall certify in writing to the Superintendent that it meets all of the following requirements:
  (a) It will not accept a pupil with exceptional needs if it cannot provide or ensure the provision of the services outlined in the pupil's individualized education program.
  (b) Pupils have access to the following educational materials, services, and programs that are consistent with each pupil's individualized education program:
  (1) (A) For kindergarten and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, state-adopted, standards-based, core curriculum and instructional materials, including technology-based materials as defined in Section 60010.
  (B) For grades 9 to 12, inclusive, standards-based, core curriculum and instructional materials, including technology-based materials as defined in Section 60010, used by any local educational agency that contracts with the nonpublic, nonsectarian school.
  (2) College preparation courses.
  (3) Extracurricular activities, such as art, sports, music, and academic clubs.
  (4) Career preparation and vocational training, consistent with transition plans pursuant to state and federal law.
  (5) Supplemental assistance, including individual academic tutoring, psychological counseling, and career and college counseling.
  (c) The teachers and staff provide academic instruction and support services to pupils with the goal of integrating pupils into the least restrictive environment pursuant to federal law.
  (d) The school has and abides by a written policy for pupil discipline which is consistent with state and federal law and regulations.

(a) The department shall implement a program to integrate individuals with exceptional needs placed in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools into public schools, as appropriate. Under the program, a pupil placed in a nonpublic, nonsectarian school and each individual who has the right to make educational decisions for the pupil shall be informed of all his or her rights relating to the educational placement of the pupil. Existing dispute resolution procedures involving public school enrollment or attendance shall be explained to a pupil placed in a nonpublic, nonsectarian school in an age- and developmentally appropriate manner. The Foster Child Ombudsman shall disseminate the information on education rights to every foster child residing in a licensed children's institution or foster family home.
  (b) Following the development of the next statewide assessment contract, the department shall submit to the Legislature a report on the academic progress of pupils attending nonpublic, nonsectarian schools serving individuals with exceptional needs. Using the results of the two most recent years of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program and the California Alternative Performance Assessment, the report shall summarize by district the achievement of all pupils attending a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. The department shall ensure that the report does not violate the confidentiality of individual pupil scores. In addition, the report shall include an academic performance index score for pupils attending nonpublic, nonsectarian schools for each district using the same procedures as under Section 52052.

A nonpublic, nonsectarian school shall ensure private and confidential communication between a pupil of the nonpublic, nonsectarian school and members of the pupil's individualized education program team, at the pupil's discretion.

(a) Placements in state special schools pursuant to Sections 59020, 59120, and 59220 shall be made only as a result of recommendations from the individualized education program team, upon a finding that no appropriate placement is available in the local plan area.
  (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a), referrals for further assessment and recommendations to the California Schools for the Deaf and Blind or the Diagnostic Centers, pursuant to Section 56326, shall not constitute placements in state special schools.

(a) A program specialist is a specialist who holds a valid special education credential, clinical services credential, health services credential, or a school psychologist authorization and has advanced training and related experience in the education of individuals with exceptional needs and a specialized in-depth knowledge in preschool disabilities, career vocational development, or one or more areas of major disabling conditions.
  (b) A program specialist may do all the following:
  (1) Observe, consult with, and assist resource specialists, designated instruction and services instructors, and special class teachers.
  (2) Plan programs, coordinate curricular resources, and evaluate effectiveness of programs for individuals with exceptional needs.
  (3) Participate in each school's staff development, program development, and innovation of special methods and approaches.
  (4) Provide coordination, consultation and program development primarily in one specialized area or areas of his or her expertise.
  (5) Be responsible for assuring that pupils have full educational opportunity regardless of the district of residence.
  (c) For purposes of Section 41403, a program specialist shall be considered a pupil services employee, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 41401.

A local educational agency may contract with another public agency to provide special education or related services to an individual with exceptional needs.