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Special Education

Department Address 
1515 Hughes Way
Long Beach, CA 90810

Department Phone 
(562) 997-8644

Special Education TK-ACT  Programs  and Services

Children identified with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires special education and related services are eligible for an Individual Education Program (IEP). This educational plan is developed by a team that includes: parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and other special education service providers. State and federal law require special education and related services to address the student’s unique needs and participation in the general education curriculum and be provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE) where students  have meaningful access to general education (peers & instruction).  LBUSD has a continuum of placements in which special education and related services can be provided to each student in light of their educationally based needs.  All LBUSD schools have some special education services available. However, certain highly specialized services are available only at specific schools.  LBUSD is committed to fostering inclusion and belonging as indicated in our equity policy.  By designing and delivering opportunities that support every student, LBUSD ensures access to meaningful learning experiences in diverse, supportive environments. LBUSD Special Education Website

The following document will review the Programs and Services in LBUSD including: 

(click on the link to go directly to the program or service): 

Related Services

What is the Service: Related Services are additional services that may be provided to support a student’s ability to make progress in the general education curriculum and on their goals. These services are individualized based on each student’s needs and may include the following:

  • Speech and language 
  • Audiological
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services (DHH)
  • Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
  • Orientation and mobility
  • Adapted Physical Education (APE)
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Physical Therapy (PT)
  • Counseling and Mental Health Services
  • Vocational Education and Career Development
  • Vision Services (VI) 

Where the Service Occurs: Provided in general education and/or separate settings as outlined in the IEP, through pull-out or push-in services, focused on providing services in the LRE. 

Sites with the Service: Offered at all schools for students who require the service.

Resource Specialist Program (RSP)

What is the Service: Specialized academic instruction (SAI) provided by a special education teacher, aimed at supporting students to access grade-level content alongside their general education peers while offering tailored, individualized support. This service can be provided 1:1, small group setting, or through a watch/consult model. 

Where the Service Occurs: Provided in general education and/or separate settings,  as outlined in the IEP. The Resource Specialist may support students directly in their general education classrooms or students may be pulled out of the general education setting for more intensive, individualized instruction

Sites with the Service: Offered at all LBUSD schools.

Collaborative Co-Teaching (CCT) and Inclusionary Co-Teaching (CT)

What is the Service:  Specialized academic instruction (SAI) provided in the general education classroom by a special education teacher, through a co-teaching model with a general education teacher. Both the general education teacher and education specialist support all learners, those with and without Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), in learning and growing together in an inclusive environment using the Universal Design for Learning framework.   

Where the Service Occurs: Provided in a general education setting.

  • The difference between push-in and co-teaching is the frequency and duration of the education specialist being in the general education classroom, as well as the embedded nature of the SAI support.

Collaborative Co-Teaching (CCT) - A PreK-2nd grade general education classroom model where two teachers-a general education and a special education teacher collaborate and remain in the classroom together throughout the entire day, providing integrated instruction and support as part of a designated setting.

Elementary Co-Teaching (CT) - A 3rd-5th grade general education class where the education specialist is in the class for a portion of the day. 

Secondary Inclusionary Teaching  (Co-Teach -CT) - A general education class for grades 6-12, where an education specialist provides support for a portion of the day across select periods or blocks.

  • In secondary schools, core areas (e.g. language arts and math) will have two teachers; a general education teacher providing content instruction and a special education teacher providing differentiated support to students using the Universal Design for Learning Framework .
  • Co-Teaching/Push-In Support: Available for all students who receive Specialized Academic Instruction in RSP andMM in grades 6-12 based on the students IEP. 

Sites with the Service: Offered at some sites in preschool and elementary schools.  It is offered at all middle schools and comprehensive high schools.

Special Day Class: Adapted Core Curriculum (SDC MM/ED/Non-Categorical BEACH)

What is the Service: Specialized academic instruction (SAI) is provided in a separate setting for students with disabilities and may be organized as a single grade, or multi grade classroom. Placement in these settings is based on a student’s unique needs and not an eligibility category. Most students in these settings take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). Courses follow a standards-based general education curriculum, adapted to meet students' individual learning needs.  All courses are modeled from General Education courses and meet the requirements for a high school diploma. Instruction focuses on students accessing common core standards through accommodations and scaffolds using the Universal Design for Learning framework. *Note: SDC MM/ED/DHH courses are not approved for A-G, limiting access to Universities or other 4-year colleges.

  1. Mild/Moderate, MM  - Designed to support students with a variety of disabilities who require a smaller, highly structured setting of a special day class (SDC) to make progress in the general education curriculum. Almost all students participate in general education classes in areas they can access effectively with support.  Instruction focuses on academic skills along with the expansion of communication, behavioral, and social skills, including: social communication, self-awareness and advocacy, self-management and independent transitions.
  2. Emotional Disability, ED - Designed to support students with a variety of disabilities affecting their social, emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning, this class integrates embedded behavioral consultation and mental health support, using a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. The program is enriched with behavior interventions aimed at reducing maladaptive behaviors and developing essential skills in self-awareness, self-management, social interaction, and responsible decision-making. Students also participate in general education classes, providing opportunities to practice and demonstrate behavioral and emotional regulation in inclusive settings.
  3. Non-Categorical, BEACH -  Designed to support students with a variety of disabilities experiencing internalized anxiety, trauma, and or depression that impedes their ability to succeed in traditional middle or high school environments. This class is enriched with therapeutic support to facilitate the reduction of emotional crisis and the development of skills in the areas of self-awareness, emotional regulation,  social skills, and responsible decision-making.  This class includes training and on-going consultation by a school psychologist.  Most students require instruction in a separate setting until they gain skills to access learning in a less restrictive

Special Day Class: Functional Academics Curriculum (SDC MS/SpHC/SUCSESS)

What is the Service: Specialized academic instruction (SAI) is provided in a separate setting for students with disabilities, utilizing a functional academic curriculum for students who qualify to take the California Alternative Assessment (CAA). This course of study leads toward an Alternate Pathway to Diploma. The curriculum is adapted and specifically modified using state standards as a base from which modifications are made and core content connectors are utilized to provide access to standards.

  1. Moderate Severe, MS - This program is designed to support students with diverse disabilities who benefit from the smaller, highly structured environment of a Special Day Class (SDC) to address their unique needs and circumstances. It provides specialized academic instruction (SAI) focused on pre-academic readiness, academics, functional and life skills, and the development of communication, behavioral, and social skills. Key areas of instruction include adaptive self-care, functional communication, social awareness (including safety skills), and fostering independence. Students also participate in community-based instruction and are included in general education curriculum and activities, as appropriate, to support their growth and integration.
  2. S.U.C.S.E.S.S. (Systematic Utilization of Comprehensive Strategies for Ensuring Student Success)- Designed to support students with significant behavioral, socialization, and communication needs in a specialized separate setting that focuses on supporting a student’s functional skills in multiple domains. The S.U.C.S.E.S.S. program embeds supports for behavior, communication, and social interactions with a functional, alternative curriculum in a highly structured, small class (10-12 students) with a 2:1 student to adult ratio. Staff have expertise and training in the areas of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and utilize evidence-based supports for students with autism, communication, and behavioral needs.
  3. Specialized Health Care, SpHc  -  This program is designed to support students with significant health and medical needs through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Services include nursing care, instructional aide support, and push-in collaboration with specialists such as Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists. Adaptive equipment—ranging from mobility aids to high-tech and low-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices—supports student engagement and communication. The curriculum incorporates the MOVE (Mobility Opportunities Via Education) framework, promoting mobility through meaningful and purposeful educational activities. The class is kept small, with 10-12 students and a 2:1 student-to-adult ratio, ensuring individualized attention and support.

Where the Service Occurs:  In the special day class for the majority of the day and may be assigned to a multi-grade classroom with a special education teacher. 

Sites with the Service: Offered at some sites.  See the brochures for details. LBUSD Schools Brochures.

Adult Community Transition Program (ACT Program)

What is the Service: The Adult Community Transition (ACT) program prepares students to move from high school to adult life (18-22 years of age), utilizing comprehensive transition planning and education that creates individualized opportunities, services and supports to help students achieve their post-school goals in education/training, employment, and independent living.

Where the Service Occurs:  Students will receive all services outlined in their IEP.  Daily schedules are site and class-specific. Once assigned, please reach out to your child’s teacher for information.

What is the curriculum: The ACT program uses a functional academics curriculum called Unique Learning System (ULS) to work on literacy and math skills while helping to further adult students' independent living skills. 

Sites with the Service: Determined by the ACT team at one of the following locations: Tucker Campus, Select High School campuses  (*Nursing Services Available), College campuses (*Long Beach City College, *Cal State Long Beach)

 *Please review the LBUSD Diploma, Certificate, and Alt Diploma Information sheet for information regarding student eligibility for the Adult Community Transition program.