Existing law mandates that local educational agencies (LEAs) must identify, assess, and provide free appropriate public education to students with exceptional needs, including a continuum of special education services tailored to each student through an individualized education program (IEP). These services must be offered in the least restrictive environment and include various program options like resource specialist programs, which focus on regular progress monitoring and participation in IEP reviews. Resource specialist caseloads are capped at 28 students, following state regulations.
AB 560 requires equitable distribution of initial assessment workloads among all resource specialists unless otherwise negotiated.
Existing law stipulates the availability of special classes for students with intensive needs who cannot be adequately served in regular classes, despite supplementary aids. AB 560 requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to recommend a maximum adult-to-student staffing ratio for these special classes by July 1, 2027, and to report these recommendations to state authorities by April 1, 2027. The Superintendent shall consult stakeholders and consider the pupils’ needs, the varying school settings, existing practices, facility constraints, and other related factors when determining the adult-to-student ratio. The recommendation must also be posted on the Department of Education’s website.
(AB 560 amends Section 56362 of, and to add Section 56364.3 to, the Education Code.)