The public hearing will take place at the CEO Council Meeting on May 16, 2024 from 12 - 2:30 p.m. Please click below to access a Notice of Public Hearing in English or Spanish. 

Effective July 1, 2020, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) joined the El Dorado County Charter Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to enable our school to provide services for our special education students. 

The move to the Charter SELPA will provide OCSA the opportunity to employ our own special education staff and work with other charter schools to best serve the needs of our students. 

Although the Charter SELPA Office is located outside of our region, a toll free telephone number is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about this change. This toll free number is 1.800.524.8100 Ext. 2232. In addition, if at any time you have questions or concerns about the special education services being provided to your student, please contact OCSA Special Services at 714.560.0900 Ext. 3218.

In California, every local education agency (LEA) is required to belong to a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). The SELPA is a consortium of LEAs responsible for the development of special education policies and procedures, distribution of federal and state special education funds, and providing a range of professional development pertaining to special education. With this support, the Charter SELPA’s partners continue to demonstrate the capacity to provide high-quality special education programs to their students.

The El Dorado County Charter SELPA was the first statewide charter-only SELPA. The Charter SELPA is a cooperative model designed to ensure special education programs are available for all students with disabilities.

Since 2007 the Charter SELPA has grown from four charter partners, operating 10 charter schools, to include 178 partners, operating 375 charter schools, representing over 100,000 students.

As as a LEA partner within the El Dorado Charter SELPA, OCSA operates our own special education program, hires our own staff, and ensures that students who attend OCSA receive all of the services and supports, as required by state and federal law, in order to benefit from their educational program.

Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Local Plan Certification

OCSA is a participating Local Educational Agency (LEA) within the El Dorado Charter Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).

OCSA certifies that the El Dorado Charter SELPA local plan has been adopted by the OCSA governing board and is the basis for the operation and administration of special education programs. OCSA will meet all applicable requirements of special education state and federal laws and regulations, and state policies and procedures. 

OCSA administration shall administer the local implementation of policies, procedures, and practices in  accordance with special education state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, which will ensure full compliance. OCSA certifies our participation in the El Dorado Charter SELPA which is a Multi-LEA SELPA. 

OCSA administration ensures the current local plan: 

1. Governance and Administration (Section B),

2. Annual Budget Plan (Section D),

3. Annual Services Plan (Section E), including updates or revisions to Sections B, D, E, and/or Attachments, is posted on the OCSA website, is on file at OCSA, and is available to any interested party.

Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) as a Partner Local Education Agency (LEA) of the El Dorado Charter SELPA is responsible for the following:

• OCSA adheres to the Local Plan, Policies, and Procedures as adopted by the El Dorado Charter SELPA CEO Council

• OCSA hires and determines the duties of the special education teachers, instructional aides, and other personnel

• OCSA organizes and administers the activities of the IEP team

• OCSA implements special education programs in compliance with state and federal mandates

• OCSA provides facilities as required to house the programs

• OCSA provides materials for the programs

• OCSA cooperates in the development of curricula and evaluation of the programs

• OCSA cooperates in the development of the procedures and methods for communicating with parents and/or legal guardians of the individuals served

• OCSA prepares and submits all required reports, including reports on student enrollment, program expenditures, and program evaluation

• OCSA designates staff including:

  • OCSA representative on the Charter SELPA Steering Committee

  • OCSA representative to serve on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

  • Superintendent/CEO or school leader to represent OCSA on the Charter SELPA CEO Council

• OCSA receives special education funding from El Dorado County in accordance with the El Dorado Charter SELPA’s Allocation and Budget Plan

Special education is a complex and ever-changing system of principles, practices, relevant laws and policies. Knowing the basics of special education in California will help parents navigate the IEP process. This includes parent’s rights, general terminology, and additional resources.

Parent Handbook 

Notice of Procedural Safeguards: English

Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Spanish

Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Chinese -Simplified

Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Chinese -Traditional

Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Vietnamese 

Child Find is a foundation component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IDEA Child Find requires every state to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, from birth to their 22nd birthday, who need Early Intervention or special education and related services. IDEA requires Child Find evaluation regardless of the severity of the child’s disability, whether the child attends private or public school, or if a child is experiencing homelessness.

It is important to “find” children who may need services and reach them early because research tells us that children with disabilities do better across their lives when they receive help early.

Pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et. seq) and relevant state law, OCSA is responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating children enrolled at OCSA with known or suspected disabilities to determine whether a need for special education and related services exists.  This includes children with disabilities who are homeless or are wards of the State. 

If you know of a child who has a disability or that you suspect may have a disability, you may refer that child’s parent or guardian to OCSA's Special Services at 714.560.0900 Ext. 3218.  Please note: All referrals are considered confidential.  The parent, legal guardian, or surrogate parent retains the right to refuse services and other procedural safeguards under federal and state law.