Chapter 6. Evaluation, Audits, And Information of California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 30. >> Chapter 6.

It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for ongoing comprehensive evaluation of special education programs authorized by this part and to support the purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 1400 of Title 20 of the United States Code.

(a) The Superintendent shall ensure that pupil and program performance results are monitored at the state and local levels in order to comply with Section 1412(a)(15) of Title 20 of the United States Code by evaluating pupil performance against key performance indicators. As necessary, other data may be collected to support the state's participation in national studies and evaluations described in Section 1474(a) of Title 20 of the United States Code.
  (b) The Superintendent shall monitor, provide technical assistance, and enforce this part, and Part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) in accordance with Section 1416 of Title 20 of the United States Code, and Subpart F (commencing with Section 300.600) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and annually report to the United States Department of Education on performance.
  (c) Pursuant to Section 300.600(b) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the primary focus of the state's monitoring activities shall be on the following:
  (1) Improving educational results and functional outcomes for all individuals with exceptional needs.
  (2) Ensuring that public agencies meet the program requirements under this part and under Part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.), with a particular emphasis on those requirements that are most closely related to improving educational results for individuals with exceptional needs.
  (d) As part of state monitoring and enforcement, the Superintendent shall use quantifiable indicators and qualitative indicators as are needed to adequately measure performance in the indicators established by the United States Secretary of Education, and in the following priority areas specified in Section 300.600(d) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations:
  (1) Provision of a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
  (2) State exercise of general supervision, including child find, effective monitoring, the use of resolution meetings, mediation, and a system of transition services as defined in Section 1437(a)(9) of Title 20 of the United States Code and in Section 300.43 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  (3) Disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic groups in special education and related services, to the extent the representation is the result of inappropriate identification.
  (e) As part of the performance plan of the state, as required in Section 300.601 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Superintendent shall collect valid and reliable information as needed to report annually to the United States Secretary of Education.

(a) Each special education local plan area shall submit to the superintendent at least annually information, in a form and manner prescribed by the superintendent and developed in consultation with the special education local plan areas, in order for the superintendent to carry out the evaluation responsibilities pursuant to Section 56602. This information shall include other statistical data, program information, and fiscal information that the superintendent may require. The superintendent shall use this information to answer questions from the Legislature and other state and federal agencies on program, policy, and fiscal issues of statewide interest.
  (b) In order to assist the state in evaluating the effectiveness of special education programs, including transition and work experience programs, the superintendent is authorized to collect and utilize social security numbers of individuals with exceptional needs as pupil identification numbers beginning in the 1993-94 fiscal year and phased in over a two-year period. In a situation where a social security number is not available, the superintendent shall assign another student identification number for purposes of evaluating special education programs and related services. The superintendent shall not disclose personally identifiable, individual pupil records to any person, institution, agency, or organization except as authorized by Section 1232g of Title 20 of the United States Code and Part 99 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Pursuant to Section 1413(a)(7) of Title 20 of the United States Code and Section 300.211 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, each special education local plan area annually shall report to the Superintendent the number of pupils receiving special education services participating in the regular school and district assessments and the number participating in an alternate assessment process.

Pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (16) of subsection (a) of Section 1412 of Title 20 of the United States Code and Section 80.40 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the superintendent shall submit to the board, the Legislature, and the Governor, a biennial performance report of the special education programs implemented under this part.

(a) The superintendent shall coordinate the design of evaluations to prevent duplication and to minimize data collection and reporting requirements at the school and district levels.
  (b) The State Department of Education shall utilize sampling procedures whenever feasible.

The superintendent shall periodically sponsor or conduct workshops and seminars for the education of local education agency personnel assigned to, and responsible for, the evaluation of local special education programs.

The Superintendent shall provide for onsite program and fiscal reviews of the implementation of plans approved under this part. In performing the reviews and audits, the Superintendent may utilize the services of persons outside of the department chosen for their knowledge of special education programs. A special education local plan area shall be reviewed at least once during the period of approval of its local plan.