Special Education Department Home

Eligibility for Services

Eligibility is determined by the IEP team based on state and federal criteria. Not all children with special needs require Special Education. Eligibility categories include:

• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Autism
• Emotional Disturbance
• Other Health Impairment
• Visual or Hearing Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Multiple Disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Deaf-Blindness
• Established Medical Disability, ages 0–5

Child Find

The District identifies, locates, and evaluates all children with disabilities, including those in private or religious schools. Activities include:

• Sharing materials with school staff, parents, and administrators
• Distributing information to local pediatricians

Referrals are made after general education resources are considered.

Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)

Stockton Unified SELPA ensures FAPE for all students ages 3–21, including those suspended or expelled. SELPA programs provide academic, non-academic, and extracurricular opportunities comparable to non-disabled peers.

Learn more about SELPA

IEP & IDEA Support

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other federal and state regulations guide how parents, teachers, and administrators collaborate to ensure quality education. SELPA provides ongoing training and support for IEP implementation and compliance.