End of Year Newsletter
As we close out the 2025-26 school year, we want to celebrate the dedication you and your teams have shown to students with disabilities across our charter community. This newsletter brings together the most important reminders, resources, and action items from Charter SELPA's Program Support team to help you wrap up the year strong and plan for next year. We are here to support you every step of the way!
Compliance & Systems Improvement
Review Your Annual Determination Letter (ADL)
The CDE sends Annual Determination Letters notifying LEAs of their IDEA compliance status, Monitoring Tier (Universal, Targeted, or Intensive), and Significant Disproportionality determination. Know your tier — it drives your monitoring activities for 2026. Be sure any required annual activities due in June or July are completed prior to leaving for the year.
Cyclical Monitoring for Small LEAs (≤100 Students with Disabilities)
If your LEA serves 100 or fewer students with disabilities on census day, you are monitored on a 3-year cycle (not SPPI-based). The cycle includes a Policy & Procedure Review, Educational Benefit Review, and Student Record Review. Be sure any activities due in June or July are complete before leaving for the summer.
IEP Implementation Monitoring
Each year, all large LEAs, and Small LEAs in cyclical monitoring, must collect and report data on the percentage of IEP services delivered for a CDE-selected student sample via an online portal. LEAs must ensure case managers are tracking service delivery accurately in SEIS, or the system of LEA choice, through the academic year.
Significant Disproportionality
Review your LEA's Significant Disproportionality determination from this year's ADL. If identified, you are required to reserve 15% of IDEA Part B funds for Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS). LEAs identified in multiple consecutive years are considered "Continuing" and have additional obligations. If a current plan is in place for Significant Disproportionality, make sure July 10, 2026, Progress Reports are completed before summer leave.
Compliance & Improvement Monitoring (CIM)
LEAs in the Targeted or Intensive monitoring tiers must complete the 4-step CIM process (unless already implementing a current CIM plan), identifying systemic issues and submitting a comprehensive improvement plan. Access the technical assistance network and data improvement tools to support this work. LEAs in Step 1 of the CIM must have Step 1 activities completed by July 10, 2026. LEAs with a plan in Step 4 must have a Progress Report completed by July 10, 2026.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
IEP Annual Review Deadlines
Confirm all IEP annual reviews due before the last day of school have been completed and documented in SEIS, including Individual Transition Plan meetings for students turning 16 over the summer. Overdue IEPs are a primary compliance finding. Pull an IEP due-date report now and address any gaps with your case managers before the final bell.
Summer Learning Opportunities
IEP Procedural Guide
Charter SELPA's Procedural Guide provides step-by-step guidance on IEP development, timelines, and required components under California law. Use it as a reference for training new staff over the summer.
IEP in a Minute Series
Short, accessible video modules covering key IEP components. Perfect for quick staff refreshers or onboarding new special education teachers and paraprofessionals before the 2025-26 school year begins.
Micro-learnings with Attorney Heather Edwards
Brief legal guidance videos covering procedural safeguards, common pitfalls, and parent rights. Share these with your case managers and administrators to strengthen your legal literacy before next school year.
Individual Transition Planning
Transition Planning for 12th Grade & Exiting Students
Students with disabilities who are graduating or aging out of special education this year must have complete, compliant transition plans in place. Ensure all required post-secondary goals (education/training, employment, independent living where applicable) are documented, that transition services align with those goals, and that Summary of Performance documents are completed.
Students turning 16 (or younger if the IEP team determines appropriate) must have transition components in their IEP. Review your caseload now.
Independent Study & Students with Disabilities
Charter schools offering independent study programs carry unique obligations for students with IEPs. The resources below address the full continuum of requirements — from enrollment equity to service delivery to placement decisions.
Child Find in Independent Study
Child Find obligations do not diminish for independent study LEAs. All students, including those enrolled in independent study, must be identified, located, and evaluated for potential disabilities.
Equal Enrollment for Students with Disabilities
Students with IEPs may not be denied enrollment in independent study solely because of their disability. Review your enrollment practices and ensure your team understands this obligation.
IEP Team Considerations & Educational Benefit
The IEP team must determine whether independent study is appropriate for each student and document that it provides educational benefit. Placement considerations, accommodations, and modifications must be explicitly addressed.
Supporting Students with Extensive Needs (ESN)
Students with Extensive Support Needs require special consideration in independent study placements. Review the full continuum of services and assistive technology guidance to ensure these students receive a free and appropriate public education.
Mental Health & Behavior
Mental Health & Behavior Resources
As the school year ends, review the supports in place for students who are experiencing behavioral challenges or mental health needs. Charter SELPA's Mental Health & Behavior page provides tools for directors and case managers alike.
Strategic Behavioral Intervention Series
On-demand training modules covering evidence-based behavioral supports: Check-In/Check-Out, Visual Schedules, Behavior Contracts, Peer Mentoring, Self-Monitoring, and more. Ideal for summer staff training planning.
End-of-Year Director Checklist
Compliance & Data
- Review Annual Determination Letter and confirm your LEA's monitoring tier — search here
- Pull an IEP due-date report and close out all overdue annual reviews before last day of school
- Ensure all SEIS records are updated and accurate before year-end CALPADS snapshot
- Complete Summary of Performance documents for all exiting students with IEPs
- Ensure Individual Service Agreements and Master Contracts are updated for the new year — ISA & Master Contracts
Transition Planning
- Confirm all students age 16+ (or younger per IEP team) have compliant transition plans with post-secondary goals, transition services, and courses of study — Transition Planning Resources
- Distribute agency referrals (DOR, regional center, etc.) for students exiting to adult services
- Document invitations to IEP meetings for outside agencies when transition services are discussed
Professional Learning & Planning for 2026-27
- Review Professional Learning Catalog for summer and fall offerings — EDCOE Events
- Schedule new staff to complete SEIS training before the start of the new year — SEIS for Case Managers
- Register for Charter SELPA's PLN meetings — both virtual and in-person Lunch & Learn formats available
- Share parent-facing Dr. Paul Porter modules with families — Parent Modules 1-4
"Every student with a disability deserves not just access, but genuine opportunity to succeed and thrive."
Quick-Access Resource Directory
| Topic | Resource |
|---|---|
| All Program Support Areas | Charter SELPA Program Support Hub |
| IEP Procedures & Timelines | Procedural Guide |
| Compliance Monitoring | CalTAN Monitoring |
| State Performance Plan | SPPI Guide 2024 |
| Equity & Disproportionality | CDE Significant Disproportionality |
| Technical Assistance / Sig Dis | SPP-TAP |
| IEP Service Delivery | CDE IEP Implementation Monitoring |
| Transition / Post-Secondary | Individual Transition Planning |
| Data / SEIS | SEIS Training Videos |
| Data / SEIS | SEIS for Case Managers — Part 1 |
| Data / SEIS | SEIS for Case Managers — Part 2 |
| Training & Events | Professional Learning Catalog |
| Professional Networks | Academies & Communities of Practice |
| Inspiration & Best Practices | Bright Spots in Education Podcast |
| Transition | Pathways to Independence Podcast |
| Mental Health & Wellness | Resilient Roots: School Wellness Podcast |
| Collaborative Resources | Charter SELPA Padlets |
| Independent Study / Charter Schools | Independent Study — Full Resource Series |
| Staff Development | Educator Development |