Special Education Resources

The Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is developed by each local plan area to describe the continuum of programs and services for individuals with disabilities from birth through 22 years of age. 

The 2025-2026 SELPA Local Plan and documents for each  SELPA (SELPAs I, II, III, IV, & VII) can be viewed at this link:            https://www.sccoe.org/selpa/Pages/Local-Plans.aspx.

New SELPA CAC can be viewed at this link: https://www.sccoe.org/selpa/nw-selpa-cac/Pages/default.aspx

The SELPA for Cupertino Union School District is named SELPA 2 and includes Cupertino Union Elementary School District, Sunnyvale Union Elementary School District, and Fremont Union High School District.

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​​​The California Education Code (EC) Article 7, Sections 56190–56194, mandates the creation of Community Advisory Committees (CACs) to increase community involvement in the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). CACs serve in an advisory capacity in the development and review of the SELPA Local Plan, annual priorities, parent training and education​​​, and other special education-related activities.

CACs are composed of parents, educators, pupils and adults with disabilities, representatives of public and private agencies, and persons concerned with the needs of individuals with disabilities.​

Our NW SELPA CAC represents the following school districts in Santa Clara County: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cambrian School ​District, Campbell Union School District, Campbell Union High School District, Cupertino Union School District, Fremont Union High School District, Lakeside Joint School District, Loma Prieta Joint Union School District, Los Altos Elementary School District, Los Gatos Union School District, Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District, Luther Burbank School District, Moreland School District, Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District, Mountain View Whisman School District, Palo Alto Unified School District, San Jose Unified School District, Santa Clara County Office of E​ducation, Santa Clara Unified School District, Saratoga Union School District, Sunnyvale School District, Union School District.​  

If you would like more information, please follow this Link to NW SELPA CAC Web page or contact the Director of Special Education, Jennifer Willis

Current CUSD CAC representatives: Ashley Hedley and Jana Weaver.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

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NCLD works to create a society in which every individual possesses the academic, social, and emotional skills needed to succeed in school, at work, and in life.

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Information and resources to serve the unique needs of persons with disabilities so that each person will meet or exceed high standards of achievement in academic and nonacademic skills.

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The SCCOE's Special Education Department partners with the county's schools to serve students with disabilities.

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Support for Your Child's IEP and Assessments

We understand you may have questions or concerns about your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or their assessments. We're here to help!

If you have any concerns or need support, please don't hesitate to reach out to:

• Your child's case manager: This is usually their special education teacher, and they are your primary point of contact for day-to-day questions.
• Your school principal: They are your first step if you have questions or concerns not adequately addressed by the case manager.  
• Special Education Director: For more in-depth discussions or specific procedural questions, our special education department staff can provide guidance. Please get in touch with Jennifer Willis at willis_jennifer@cusdk8.org 

If the above has not adequately addressed your concern,  you can contact our Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) for more extensive support. They offer free and neutral Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) support.

The Santa Clara North West (NW) SELPA offers no-cost ADR services to assist school districts and parents in proactively resolving special education disagreements and disputes. These ADR services aim to provide parents and school districts within Santa Clara NW SELPA with a continuum of dispute resolution processes and practices to engage in different levels of intervention - prevention, disagreement, and conflict. Services include SELPA Engagement, IEP Facilitation, and Mediation.​

• For more information, please visit Parent Resource- Alternative Dispute Resolution 

For more information about your rights as a parent or guardian of a student with a disability, you may also find the information you need by reading your Parents' Rights and Procedural Safeguards

• Parents Rights 

Lastly, you may also want to contact one of the California parent organizations (Family Empowerment Centers and Parent Training Institutes), which were developed to increase collaboration between parents and educators to improve the educational system. 

Contact information for these organizations is found on the CDE Special Education California Parent Organizations Web page at:

• http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/caprntorg.asp

We are committed to working together to ensure your child receives the best possible support.

​​​​​The Santa Clara North West (NW) SELPA offers no-cost ADR services to assist school districts and parents in proactively resolving special education disagreements and disputes. These ADR services aim to provide parents and school districts within Santa Clara NW SELPA with a continuum of dispute resolution processes and practices to engage in different levels of intervention - prevention, disagreement, and conflict. Services include SELPA Engagement, IEP Facilitation, and Mediation.​

Common Abbreviations and Acronyms in Special Education