We Need Your Voice! Smaller Special Ed Class Sizes Matter!
The CDE has launched four surveys in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 560, which requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) to recommend an adult-to-pupil staffing ratio for special classes authorized pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 56364.2 for pupils 3 to 22 years of age and to post the recommendations to the California Department of Education (CDE) website by July 1, 2027.
The CDE is required to obtain the majority of its feedback from credentialed education specialists currently teaching in a special class setting. Stakeholder surveys are open through October 30, 2026. Learn more and participate here. Your voice matters! For more information, go to the CDE AB 560 webpage.
AB 560 was supported by the CTA State Council and signed into law thanks to the advocacy work of our members and staff on Special Education issues. When we work together to fight, we can win on these major issues together.
About Assembly Bill (AB) 560
AB 560 was signed by the Governor in October, 2025. Initially this bill had aspirational language for caseload caps for a variety of service providers. Oftentimes, legislation goes through a variety of changes in order to get passed. The final language is fundamentally different from the original and does two things only:
As of January 2026, the new law requires local educational agencies (i.e. School districts) to take “all reasonable steps to distribute initial assessment workload across all resource specialists in the LEA unless otherwise collectively bargained”.
As of July 1, 2027, the law requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) to “recommend a maximum adult-to-pupil staffing ratio for special day classes.” This language will be advisory only, not a state mandate. In addition, CTA is monitoring the process in which feedback is given to the CDE in order to ensure educators and classroom teachers are included in the process.
CTA will provide more information as we monitor the implementation of this legislation. Please contact your CTA Primary Contact Staff for local-specific questions.
Check out our IEP Team Meeting Short Video Series!
This three part short video series is meant to inform best practices for IEP team meetings and is a great resource for new and veteran educators, alike!
