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Special Education

Tina Christen, Director
805-742-3301

Philosophy

The Lompoc Unified School District is committed to meeting the educational needs of the exceptional child. All handicapped children from birth to age 22 are provided appropriate educational opportunities. Excellent facilities and over 100 dedicated staff members provide for the needs of the child or student who is mentally handicapped, learning disabled, emotionally disturbed, physically handicapped, deaf, deaf / blind, visually handicapped, and speech and language impaired. Support services include psychologists, program specialists, and administrative staff.

An Individual Education Program (IEP) is developed at least annually for each of the more then 1000 students to ensure that each child receives a free and appropriate education designed to maximize his unique potential in the least restrictive educational environment. Those charged with these responsibilities welcome the opportunity to provide a rich and meaningful program to exceptional children, coordinated with the efforts of parents.

Finding and Serving Special Students

IDEA and California's Master Plan for Special Education guarantee a free appropriate public education for all children with exceptional needs who are between the ages of 3 and 22. If you know or suspect that your child or any other child has some kind of handicapping condition, contact Robert Altavilla, the Administrator of Special Education (805) 742-3301.

District Procedures

When a child is suspected of having an exceptional need, the school district will implement a series of procedures required by law to guarentee the rights of a disabled child in education. These procedures include:

  • An examination of the alternatives available in the regular program.
  • A full non-discriminatory psychological and educational assessment of his needs.
  • An Individual Education Program Team meeting.
  • Annual review of the child's progress.
  • A re-evaluation every three years.

These procedures guarentee that you, as a parent, and the Lompoc Unified School District will work together in the education of your child.

LUSD has established a uniform complaint procedure (1312.3) for all relevant programs per 5 CCR § 4622 et seq . The district has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of gender per Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX: Nondiscrimination.