Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information on Orange County schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/california/orange-county/index.html
Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance
The Orange County Schools ' Special Education Alliance was created by the 28 districts in Orange County in 2003. The primary goal of the Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance is to meet the need for a countywide system that can focus on special education. This includes offering staff development and training to school employees, creating leadership in advocating for legislative and administrative change, overseeing the decisions and rulings rendered by administrative agencies, offering a way to fund the litigation and appeals of administrative and judicial decisions and rulings especially when the outcome has a countywide significance or precedent setting in its implications for all students.
The Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance was created with the intention of addressing all the concerns of all students regardless of if the student has any manner disability. Any student that is not receiving the full services they need changed because of lack of funding to support mandates created under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The main problem that Orange County Schools faces with meeting this federal mandate is drawing funds from the regular education program. Funds are often taken from the regular education program to support the needs of special education students. Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance aims to provide the services all students need to be successful in meeting academic standards.
Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance plans to accomplish this goal by providing staff development to its practitioners, use the legislative process to seek adequate funding to provide these high quality services, and when necessary, support litigation to achieve these goals. Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance also encourages staff members, parents, advocates and organizations to get involved by using their voices and contact the local officials and hold them accountable for promises and mandates for which regular education and special needs children are entitled.
Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance is lead by an Executive Committee that is composed of Superintendents from different school districts across Orange County. The actual carrying out of the goals is the responsibility of the Review Committee. The Review Committee is comprised of five Superintendents regionally nominated, Orange County Schools' legal counsel, two private attorneys representing school districts in special education matters, two SELPA directors, and one business administrator. The Review Committee has been working hard for the past two years in order to try and meet the goals of the Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance. Even though the focus of the Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance is in the areas of legal and funding, it tries hard to work closely with teachers and staff members so that its members are informed about the needs of the schools at root levels.
Since the Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance was created it has accomplish a great deal to meet the needs of the school districts across Orange County.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Orange County and Microsoft Technology Voucher Program
- National Organization Recognizes Success of Orange County Schools
- Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance
- Orange County Schools: Closing the Gap
- Tuning Into Orange County Schools
- Orange County Schools – Orlando
- Orange County Schools - Orlando
- Orange County Schools Build Civic Education with Disney




Online Tutoring – Its Effectiveness
By: Sarvesh | 10/11/2009In the new era, Online Tutoring is beneficial for everyone. In today's busy schedule, every student wants to do study at home as per his convenience. This article provides information on Online tutoring and its effectiveness.
Do You REALLY Want to Help End Poverty in the U.S. and English-speaking Nations?
By: Bob C. Cleckler | 10/11/2009People bemoan the poverty they see, but seldom know the cause of the poverty. Not knowing the cause makes it difficult to take action in such a way as to help people permanently escape from their poverty. The most statistically accurate and thorough study of ever performed of U.S. adult illiteracy proves that poverty is over twice as likely to be a result of illiteracy as for all other causes combined. The good news is that the solution to English illiteracy is easier than we would ever dream.
The Top Things We Should Bring Back to Education
By: Kimberly Smith | 09/11/2009Each year teachers must attend staff development and learn about the newest fad in education. We go back to our rooms and try the latest ideas only to discover that our students are not making significant gains in education. There are some old school things that we did when we were in school that should be brought back to the classroom.
The Reasons Why No Child Left Behind is Ineffective
By: Kimberly Smith | 09/11/2009The goal of the No Child Left Behind Act was to improve American schools and to make sure that 100% of public school children are proficient in reading and math. However, the law is unrealistic and has unreachable goals. It does not take into account parental involvement or students with disabilities. It also allows states to create their own assessments and definition of proficiency. As a result, many states are lowering their standards so that more students can pass.
Maths Olympiad
By: Ashutosh Sharma | 06/11/2009The Maths Olympiad conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation each year is also known as International Mathematics Olympiad. Students from classes II to XII across the globe, studying under the curriculum prescribed by CBSE, ICSE and other state boards of India can participate in this Maths Olympiad conducted by the SOF every year.
Hwobot, a homework robot?
By: Jerry | 06/11/2009Who wasn't dreamed about a robot that can do you homework for you? The people who designed hwobot certainly have. The site itself is not actually a homework robot, but it does promote the quick, question-answer, relationship that one would expect from a homework robot. If you ever get the chance, you should check it out at hwobot.com.
Gym for kids, indoor gym, home playground for kids
By: homegym | 05/11/2009So many activities in your home - climbing, swinging, balancing etc. It will keep your child busy and exciting. Every child dreams to have its own indoor playground in home. Home gym is great present idea for your child birthday.
Study At Home By Online Education
By: Sarvesh | 05/11/2009Now-a-days, online education are very popular among the students because it provides flexible time schedule for study. At home, a student can easily access the course content over Internet. This article tells how online education brings for us great opportunity for study.
Washington D.c. Teacher Recognized for Excellence By Congress
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationWashington, DC- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a congressional resolution recognizing Kim Burke-Ables, a science teacher at Washington D.C. schools ‘ Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, on her selection as the District of Columbia Teacher of the Year for 2006, and "congratulating her for her exceptional dedication to the students and her excellence as a teacher."
New Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2008
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationThis year, the state's new graduation requirements become "real" as students in Seattle schools in the class of 2008 receive the results of their first attempt at the 10th-grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Passing the 10th-grade WASL will be the avenue most students take to earn the Certificate of Academic Achievement, one of the four new statewide graduation requirements.
San Jose Schools Celebrate Beethoven With Essay Contest
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationSan Jose State University's Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies and the San Jose Jewish Film Festival have teamed up with the San Jose Schools in an event to celebrate the San Jose State University's Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies twenty first year. The celebration event also includes the premiere of the film "Beethoven's Hair" at the San Jose Jewish Film Festival. This will be an event for the whole community held in downtown San Jose in October.
San Francisco Gets Serious About Arts Education
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationSeptember 28 was the beginning of a new era for arts education in San Francisco schools. The San Francisco Unified School district and the City are partnering on a historic effort to bring back the arts for all students.
San Antonio Independent School District Welcome New Additions
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationCurrent and former students, community members and staff from the San Antonio Schools staff gathered in the historic auditorium of Douglass Academy on Sept. 26 for a homecoming celebration and dedication ceremony to mark the completion of a major construction and renovation project at the school.
Pittsburg Schools' Magnet Schools Programs
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationThe Pittsburg Schools is holding an Information Fair aimed at providing parents with the information they need to provide their children with the best opportunities. The Pittsburg Schools' Magnet Information Fair will be held on October 7th at the Frick International Studies Academy.
Orlando Schools Receive Awards and Funding From the Community
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationFive Orlando public schools will be recognized for outstanding prevention efforts in the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs at the Statewide Prevention Conference in Orlando held at the Caribe Royale Resort. Only 10 schools in the state are being honored during the event to be held on September 20, 2006.
Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance
By: Stacy Andell | 11/10/2006 | K-12 EducationThe Orange County Schools ' Special Education Alliance was created by the 28 districts in Orange County in 2003. The primary goal of the Orange County Schools' Special Education Alliance is to meet the need for a countywide system that can focus on special education.