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Orange Unified highlights special education reforms after Golden Bell award
Summary
District special education leaders credited program relocations, literacy initiatives, expanded professional development and data tools with steep gains in inclusion and graduation rates; presenters also warned that special education remains underfunded and described a 10-year deferred maintenance funding gap elsewhere in the district.
Special education leaders told the Orange Unified School District Board on Feb. 12 that multi-year reforms have produced measurable gains for students with disabilities and earned the department a California Golden Bell Award.
Dr. Sue Singh and Dr. Andrew Granite outlined initiatives started after an adverse 2018 CDE compliance review: relocating programs by feeder patterns to reduce student bus times, a ‘‘We Embrace Literacy’’ campaign using Orton-Gillingham and other reading supports, an IEP compliance desk, expanded professional development (over 180 trainings last year), and a behavior support model with behavior support assistants (BSAs).
Singh said the department’s data tools have driven measurable improvements: large increases in the least restrictive environment (LRE) rates (an 81% growth in time spent in general education settings stated in the presentation), a 58% decrease in limited general education instruction, a 74% reduction in separate-school placements for students without typical peers, and an 80% drop in dropout rates for students with disabilities over eight years. She credited focused local programming and systemwide supports for those gains.
At the same time, presenters warned that special education is an underfunded mandate. Singh said some metrics reflect fiscal strain and noted that average district general-fund contributions to special education exceed 70% statewide, and that OUSD’s per-ADA general fund contribution compares favorably to some peers but the program remains sensitive to state and federal funding changes.
Why this matters: The board applauded the department’s work and acknowledged both the progress and the ongoing budgetary constraints. Trustees repeatedly praised staff for sustained efforts while noting that funding and capacity limits constrain further expansion.
Next steps: Staff asked the board to continue supporting program stabilization and to consider funding and staffing priorities as part of district budget planning.
Sources: Presentation by Dr. Sue Singh and Dr. Andrew Granite, Golden Bell acceptance remarks during the Feb. 12 meeting.
