The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Options for Special Education:

The LAUSD SELPA offers three special education options for independent charter schools authorized by the LAUSD Board. Below is a brief description of the options and corresponding supports available, along with an overview document on all three options.

Special Education Option 1

Under this option, the charter school remains a complete “school of the district” with all responsibilities and privileges extended to any other LAUSD district school. The charter school is responsible for ensuring its special education programs and services are in compliance with federal and state education laws and regulations. However, LAUSD provides special education personnel, operates special education programs, implements any corresponding programs and services, including providing related services, and leads on all due process matters.

Special Education Option 2

This option provides a balanced approach to special education provision and service delivery. The charter school retains responsibility and autonomy for delivering all special education programming and service provision and for ensuring its special education programs and services are in compliance with federal and state education laws and regulations. In addition, the LAUSD partners with the charter school for any non-public school placements and due process matters.

Special Education Option 3

This option provides the charter school with the most autonomous special education delivery model (i.e. LEA-like) and the charter school operates independently for the purposes of special education (i.e., LEA-like). Though the charter school does not have LEA status, it does function in a similar role and capacity. The charter school assumes management and fiscal responsibility for its special education program and service delivery model. In addition, the charter school ensures all special education supports, related services, and any non-public placements provided. There is an application and interview process for membership into being an Option 3 charter school, as full special education autonomy necessitates increased responsibility. Charter schools under Option 3 receive direct support from a dedicated LAUSD support team, have access to LAUSD-wide special education professional development, and receive increased funding compared to Option 1 and Option 2.