4 Action Steps for Compliance       Starting July 1, 2026, all private and religious K–12 schools in California must comply with child abuse prevention and school safety requirements that already apply to public schools. The law, SB 848, aims to create safer learning environments and strengthen accountability across all educational institutions.      Key Requirements - By July 2026, private schools must:   Adopt written safety and boundaries policies that promote safe supervi

Federal Oversight at Risk: What It Means for California’s Students and Schools       The Trump Administration’s plan to downsize, and potentially eliminate, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has triggered mass layoffs within the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which oversees implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). More than 120 OSEP and OSERS employees were terminated in October 2025, prompting bipartisan concern and emergenc

Insurance Coalition Updates   CAPSES continues to participate in the Statewide Insurance Crisis Coalition, working alongside youth-serving organizations, county partners, and policy advisors to develop a two-year plan for stabilizing the insurance landscape. This statewide effort is shaping legislative and regulatory solutions to ensure providers can have access to affordable insurance and continue serving students safely and sustainably.     NPA Reviews   The NPA community i

As we begin a new quarter, I’m filled with gratitude for the momentum our community continues to build together. Across California, nonpublic schools and agencies are doing extraordinary work to support students with disabilities, work that is only possible when we stay grounded in our shared purpose and the values that guide us forward.     This year, CAPSES has more clearly articulated those beliefs: that our system must evolve to provide equitable access and sustainable fu

Joint Statement on the Elimination of OSEP and the Future of IDEA Oversight   Over the weekend, the Department of Education (DOE) executed a sweeping dismantling of its Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) by issuing Reduction in Force notices that will terminate the positions of all but 2 or 3 OSEP staff. This move effectively eliminates the federal body responsible for distributing the $15 billion annual Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and

#BUDGETALERT  from Capitol Advisors: "Late yesterday we learned about very troubling action by the U.S. Department of Education,...

Diana Lambert  and  Lasherica Thornton  at  EdSource  reported on the impact raids had on school absences. Interrupted attendance impacts...

Read more about how schools use Medicaid to bridge IDEA funding gaps and how families of students with disabilities rely on Medicaid for...

CAPSES leadership has stayed on top of issues that impact NPS and NPAs this legislative season.  CAPSES has been informing its members of...

CAPSES delegation had a full day of meaningful meetings in our nation’s capital this past May.Grateful to the National Association of...

As we close out the school year, we reflect not only on the accomplishments in our classrooms and programs, but also on the broader...

As budget negotiations between the Governor and Legislative leadership continue, and with the start of the new fiscal year less than two...

June Update from Capitol Advisors: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) The President’s Request provides $14.89 billion, an...

Please find here the budget revise workshops slides from Capitol Advisors. Some highlights: Proposed for Ongoing Funding (2.30% COLA) •...

CAPSES members were able to attend an exclusive demo with Journify Learning, the AI co-pilot for special education that helps special...

CAPSES Response to Developments in the U.S. Department of Education      Like all of you, CAPSES has been closely monitoring the rapidly...

In the Capitol   New Faces   Term limits have once again led to a large influx of new legislators, with 37 freshmen joining the...

Here is an  initial summary of the major K-12 education proposals from the Governor, courtesy of our lobbying partner, Capitol Advisors....

I am excited to announce that I have been appointed the new Executive Director of the California Association of Private Special Education...

Following the recent elections, state associations, under NAPSEC's guidance, have been actively discussing the potential impacts of...