Overview
Special education offers education to students with special needs in such a way that addresses the students' individual and unique learning style. Special education signifies a variety of educational services provided by the public school system along with other educational agencies to students with identified disabilities. The process of developing and systematically monitoring an individual education plan (IEP) is intended to help students with special needs achieve a higher level of independence and achievement within the school and community than would be available if the student were offered access to a typical education program.

Individual Education Plan (IEP)
An Individual Education Plan, known as an IEP, is the document developed once a student has been evaluated and identified with having an educational disability, as defined by federal regulations. In accordance with state and federal law, the IEP is developed by a team of individuals who are familiar with the student's learning profile. The IEP documents the student's eligibility, develops goals/objectives in the student's areas of identified needs, and determines programs, accommodations/modifications, services and instruction needed for the student to receive educational benefit. The IEP is reviewed and re-developed yearly or until the student no longer requires or is eligible for an IEP.

Special Education is Defined by California Education Code (Section 56031) as:

• Specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of individuals with exceptional needs, whose education needs cannot be met with modifications of the general education program
• Related services that help individuals with special needs to benefit from specially designed instruction. Special education is an integral part of the total public education system. Other features of special education are:
• It is provided in a way that promotes maximum interaction between students with and without disabilities in a manner which is appropriate to the needs of both;
• Services are provided at no cost to parents;
• It provides a full range of program options to meet the educational and service requirements of individuals with exceptional needs in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The LRE is generally the setting that is most similar to those attended by general education students.