Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan VandenBos, 213-241-6388
December 7, 2021
L.A. Unified Celebrates Students with Disabilities and Special Education Day
LOS ANGELES, December 7, 2021 – The Los Angeles Board of Education recognized Special Education Day in a unanimous Board resolution authored by Board President Kelly Gonez. The resolution honors more than 60,000 students receiving special education services for their unique gifts and contributions to L.A. Unified. The resolution also directed the school district to continue its advocacy for additional resources to fully fund education for students with disabilities, including through the full funding of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and to expand its partnership of parents and families of students with disabilities.
“Every single day our students with disabilities bring so much to our schools and our district, and Special Education Day is an opportunity to celebrate them,” said Board President Kelly Gonez. “Especially as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, students with disabilities and their individualized needs must be at the forefront of our minds and our commitment to every student’s success.”
“Los Angeles Unified is committed to providing innovative instruction and unwavering support for our incredible students who have special needs,” said Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly.
“We are proud to commemorate the progress this country has made to provide a high-quality, equitable education that meets the unique needs of every child,” said Board Vice President Nick Melvoin, “We will continue advocating for the full funding of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act to make this goal a reality for all our students and families.”
“We want to help our students with special needs become productive adults,” said Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III. “National Special Education Day is a reminder of this commitment.”
"We continue to learn alongside our students and families to better serve their diverse needs,” said Board Member Mónica García. "We want our students and families with different abilities to live their best life and have access to support and success.”
“As a lifelong educator and the Chair of the Special Education Committee, I am honored to once again co-sponsor a resolution that celebrates National Special Education Day and supports the creation of a 10-year mandatory path to fully fund Title I and IDEA,” said Board Member Scott Schmerelson. “It is time we ensure that special education is a priority in the federal budget so that our students and their families are able to receive the resources and support they need and that our District is fairly compensated for these essential costs.”
“The federal government is committed, by law, to pay 40 percent of the average cost for every special education student, yet in 2020 they came through with less than half of that funding,” said Board Member Jackie Goldberg. “Covering this shortfall burdens our communities and takes away from all students, especially the more than 60,000 students being served by special education. Raising awareness has to be part of strenuously advocating for the federal funding promised to our students.”
“I’m proud to support the annual recognition of December 2 as Special Education Day in LA Unified,” said Board Member Tanya Ortiz-Franklin. “This day serves not only as a reminder of the progress we have made in order to provide equitable services and resources for all scholars but also as a reminder of the progress we must continue to actualize so that all of our scholars leave LA Unified prepared to thrive in college, career, and life. We look forward to additional state and federal support in this shared effort.”