Bill > AB560

This bill proposes two main changes to special education regulations in California. First, it requires local educational agencies to distribute the workload of initial assessments equally among resource specialists (special education teachers who support students with individualized education programs in regular classrooms), unless otherwise negotiated through collective bargaining. Second, the bill mandates that the Superintendent of Public Instruction develop and recommend a maximum adult-to-pupil staffing ratio for special education classes by July 1, 2027, after consulting with a diverse group of stakeholders including educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, and parents. The Superintendent must consider factors such as students' varying needs, different school settings, existing practices, and the principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Superintendent will be required to post the recommended staffing ratio on the department's website and report recommendations to legislative committees by April 1, 2027. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that implementing these requirements creates additional costs for local agencies, the state will provide reimbursement according to existing statutory procedures.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB560