State special schools: information

Families of students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind must receive information about these specialized public-school placement options. Beginning in 2027–28, that information must also be provided during individualized education program meetings.

What the law does ​

• Requires annual parent notifications to include the option to attend the California School for the Deaf or the California School for the Blind, as applicable.
• Requires notices to explain that state special schools are among available placements and that families may request information about other placement options.
• Requires local educational agency individualized education program teams to provide this information when developing, reviewing, or revising an eligible student’s program, starting in the 2027–28 school year.
• Requires the State Department of Education to give local educational agencies the required information by July 1, 2027.
• Allows reimbursement of local agencies and school districts if the Commission on State Mandates finds the requirements create state-mandated costs.

Who it affects ​

• Students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind.
• Parents, guardians, and educational rights holders of those students.
• Local educational agencies and their individualized education program teams.
• The California School for the Deaf and the California School for the Blind.