Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs)

All school districts and county school offices are required by the California State Department of Education to form geographical regions of sufficient size and scope to provide for all the special education service needs of children residing within the region boundaries. Each region (Special Education Local Plan Area - SELPA) develops a local plan describing how it would provide special education services.

Tulare County/District SELPA

All 46 school districts in Tulare County and the Tulare County Office of Education have joined together to participate in the Tulare County/District Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).
The CBEDS count for Tulare County is 93,424 students (2005-06).
The Tulare County/District SELPA serves approximately 7,388 (8%) individuals with exceptional needs, providing special education and related services.

The Tulare County Office of Education has been designated the Administrative Unit of the Tulare County/District SELPA. Dr. Marilyn Rankin, Assistant Superintendent, Special Services Division is the chief administrator for the SELPA.

Mission

The Tulare County SELPA is committed to providing a free appropriate public education, including special education instruction and/or support services, to any eligible student regardless of the size or location of the district of residence in Tulare County. Appropriate special education services are provided within the geographical area of the Tulare County/District SELPA through a full continuum of program options for children from birth to 22 years of age.

Responsibilities

The Tulare County/District SELPA responsibilities include:

- Ensuring program availability for all children with disabilities
- Curriculum/program development support
- Surrogate parent training
- Community Advisory Committee support
- Management Information System
- Transition planning
- Personnel development
- Budget planning and review
- Evaluation of special education programs
- Program coordination
- Fiscal management/monitoring
- Program Specialists service
- Community awareness