New Special Education Support Available for California Charter Schools

March 11, 2026

California charter schools are juggling rising special education needs, staffing constraints, and increasing compliance demands while still delivering consistent services for students with disabilities.

To support this work, the California Department of Education has launched a statewide technical assistance initiative through the California Statewide Technical Assistance Center for Charter Schools (CA STACS).

Over the next 3 years, the program will support public charter schools across five topic areas, including special education. As part of this effort, WestEd will provide special education technical assistance tailored to charter schools’ needs.

The initiative continues with a two-part webinar series focused on the foundations of special education compliance (next session: May 19). Register today.

We asked WestEd’s CA STACS team what charter leaders can expect and how the series is designed to be practical, relevant, and usable right away.

What makes CA STACS especially timely for charter schools navigating current policy and program expectations?

The education landscape is changing rapidly, with new policies, guidelines, and expectations continually emerging at both the state and federal levels. Charter schools, which often operate with different structures and accountability measures than traditional public schools, need timely support to understand and comply with these demands.

What challenges are you hearing most often from California charter schools when it comes to special education?

We frequently hear leaders describe staffing strains as service needs increase, funding pressures in single-site schools, uncertainty about documentation and compliance expectations, and the challenge of maintaining innovative school models while meeting regulatory requirements. These concerns affect daily operations, staffing decisions, and student services.

How is CA STACS different from traditional professional development?

Well, first, CA STACS technical assistance and resources are specific to California. Our webinars are grounded in state and federal compliance requirements, helping leaders, teachers, and staff understand what is required and how to implement those requirements within their school’s structure and model.

Second, follow-up Continuous Improvement Networks (CINs) create space and sustained support for charter leaders to connect with peers, ask candid questions, and work through real challenges together.

What can participants expect from the upcoming webinar series?

We’ll be exploring core compliance expectations, common areas of vulnerability for charter schools, practical strategies for aligning staffing and services, and immediate next steps that leaders can take at their school sites. There will be opportunities to engage with peers and access resources designed to address real-world challenges.

These sessions will be especially valuable for new charter leaders, special education coordinators, and teams preparing for monitoring or review.

Leaders will leave with greater confidence, stronger systems, and a sense that they are not navigating these challenges alone. Special education compliance can be complex, but with the right support and a peer network, charter schools can strengthen their practices while continuing to serve students with disabilities effectively.

You’ll have more webinars over the next 2 years. How will they be shaped?

We regularly gather input from charter leaders, teachers, authorizers, and key interest holders to shape the content. We’ll continue to solicit feedback over the 3 years of this project to ensure that the webinars directly align with the everyday realities and priorities of California charter schools. Our sessions will address both compliance and innovative strategies to support charter schools in addressing new policies, expectations, and emerging needs on the ground.