Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 3 selected Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA) representing 3 counties within Southern California and the extent to which they adequately comply with federal and state mandates requiring schools and school districts to provide an adequate public education to all students who have not reached their 22nd birthday. Findings. The data revealed that within SELPAs the education provided special education students was less adequate than that provided general education students. This conclusion was reached based on the low number of special education students passing the CAHSEE. The passing rates for this group of students was low regardless of the SELPA selected for evaluation. Additionally, high school attendance for special education students was shown to be much lower than that of the general education student population. The low attendance rate was further magnified by the high dropout rates overall for the special education student population compared to the general education population. Conclusions and recommendations. Many of the policies restrict the development of viable programs that might meet the needs of the districts' and schools' student population by the method in which funds are allocated. The practice by lawmakers to dictate the operations of schools have negative impacts on the accomplishment of the mission of educating high school students. Funding and the ability to use funds in a manner that will best benefit students must be delegated to the levels that have the best ideas, programs, and other resources to execute them. A recommendation generated as a result of this study is that a study of SELPAs be conducted using a survey instrument that allows students the opportunity to evaluate their educational experience. The study would be developed to determine what students experienced over the 4 years of their education process. Additionally, the study would allow the students to rate the adequacy of the education they received.