About Us
The Sutter County Special Education Local Plan Area is comprised of 14 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools Office. These entities work together to offer a free appropriate public education (FAPE) providing programs and services of high quality and the establishment and maintenance of policies that assure compliance with federal and state law.
What is a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)?
A SELPA is a state-mandated association that provides for all the special education service needs of children residing within the regional boundaries. There are approximately 120 SELPAs in California. Each SELPA develops a local plan describing how it provides special education services. Responsibilities of the SELPA include:
A SELPA is a state-mandated association that provides for all the special education service needs of children residing within the regional boundaries. There are approximately 120 SELPAs in California. Each SELPA develops a local plan describing how it provides special education services. Responsibilities of the SELPA include:
- Ensuring Program Availability for all Children with Disabilities
- Curriculum/Program Development Support
- Surrogate Parent Training
- Community Advisory Committee Support
- Management Information System
- Policy Development
- Professional Development
- Budget Planning and Review
- Interagency Coordination
- Fiscal Management
- Program Specialists
- Community Awareness
Legal Concepts of Special Education:
- Child Find: Each public school system is responsible to find and serve all eligible children with disabilities in its area
- Free Appropriate Public Education: Each public school system is responsible for ensuring that each child with disabilities is served appropriately, at no expense to the parent
- Least Restrictive Environment: Each child is assured of his/her right of education with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of both
- Due Process: The right of parent participation, and challenge, in all aspects of assessment, identification and placement is assured; involves mediation or administrative hearing procedures and complaint procedure in case of disputes
- Individualized Educational Planning: The right of a child to an educational program designed to meet his/her individual needs and based on adequate assessment is assured. By age 16, this includes the development of an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) to provide for transition into the world of work
The Administrative Unit for the Sutter County SELPA is the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools. Please go to https://www.sutter.k12.ca.us/ to visit the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools website.