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State review finds SFUSD special‑education noncompliance; corrective training and monitoring required
Summary
A California Department of Education comprehensive review scored SFUSD 61 (below the 62 threshold), identifying gaps in IEP timelines, disproportionate discipline of students with IEPs, and missing service‑delivery documentation; the district outlined corrective training and technical assistance steps.
State education officials presented the results of a California Department of Education (CDE) comprehensive special‑education review at the Nov. 12 board meeting after SFUSD received a score of 61 — below the 62 cut‑off that triggers an on‑site review.
CDE reviewers audited files, visited 12 sites, interviewed staff, and sampled IEPs and service documentation. District leaders reported that the review flagged weaknesses in four areas used to calculate the score: compliance with IEP timelines and content, participation/achievement gaps on statewide assessments (ELA and math participation/achievement), discipline rates for students with IEPs (notably a disproportionate share involving African‑American students), and an elevated number of complaints.
Jean Robertson, chief of special education, summarized the corrective actions: district‑wide training on IEP components and progress monitoring; a focus on educational‑benefit documentation (linking present levels, needs, goals and progress); targeted technical assistance on assessment accommodations and transition plans; and process changes to ensure services documented in IEPs are delivered despite staff absences.
Union leaders and the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education emphasized a staffing crisis. Susan Salman of United Educators of San Francisco said special‑education teachers and paraeducators are ‘‘drowning’’ under paperwork and caseload demands and called for increased IDEA funding and district investments in staffing and substitutes. The district and community urged a multi‑year strategic plan to address caseloads, staffing shortages and training.
CDE reviewers will return for follow‑up: SFUSD must complete required corrective actions and demonstrate improvement on performance indicators and complaint noncompliance measures to exit the comprehensive review process. District leaders said they have started trainings, are coordinating technical assistance with SELPA partners, and will continue to report progress to the board.
