Assemblymember O’Donnell Leads the Charge to Deliver Academic Equality for Students with Disabilities

(SACRAMENTO) – Last week, Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) introduced AB 312, which strengthens California’s support for students with disabilities by creating a state funding source for special education preschool services and addressing long-standing special education funding inequities.

California currently provides no financial support for special education preschool programs, which are highly effective at improving academic outcomes for students with special needs. Investing in special education preschool programs may reduce the need for future special education interventions by as much as 40 to 60 percent. Additionally, AB 312 requires the state to commit more resources to special education in order to balance out California’s special education funding rates.

“California’s public schools must support all students, and that includes our children with disabilities,” said Assemblymember O’Donnell, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee and teacher. “AB 312 will address a fundamental issue of fairness in funding, while providing critical special education services that empower students to achieve their full academic potential.”

“We applaud Assemblymember O’Donnell’s efforts to address the inequities in special education funding,” said David Toston, Associate Superintendent of the El Dorado County SELPA and Chair of the Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education. “Establishing a funding stream for early interventions will produce significant educational and social benefits as well as cut costs over the long-term.”

The bill now awaits referral to its first policy committee.