Work In Progress

REL West conducts applied research studies that address high-priority education questions identified through our partnerships, and build the capacity of individuals and organizations to develop, support, execute, and make use of rigorous applied research. After a proposal completes a rigorous external review process, the study is posted as a work in progress.

Current Work in Progress:

Characteristics of Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) in California

This study will provide California’s State Board of Education (SBE) with information about characteristics among single-versus multi-district SELPAs (Special Education Local Plan Areas), including placement rates and outcomes for special education students. It will also examine the characteristics and student outcomes among SELPAs with a consistent membership across time versus ones that were reconfigured. The results of this study will inform future studies that evaluate CDE’s mechanisms for allocating federal and state special education funds to districts.