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Los Angeles Unified Outlines Legislative and Advocacy Priorities for the Coming Year (12-3-19)
News Statement
CONTACT:
Shannon Haber, 213-241-6766 Dec. 3, 2019
Los Angeles Unified Outlines Legislative and Advocacy Priorities for the Coming Year
LOS ANGELES (Dec. 3, 2019) - The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education adopted today the District's 2020 legislative and advocacy priorities for the coming year. The advocacy agenda outlines other legislative and funding priorities at all levels of government to increase student outcomes, promote equity and excellence for all, and achieve organizational sustainability to better serve students, and the families and communities we serve.
Superintendent Austin Beutner released the following statement:
"Los Angeles Unified's primary focus in 2020 will be to work with state lawmakers to advocate for a sufficient level of funding for services provided to students with moderate to severe disabilities.”
Costs to support students with moderate to severe disabilities are significant, and this population tends to have medical needs that also impact attendance. In 2018-19, Los Angeles Unified spent over $1.7 billion in special education costs. About $722 million was spent supporting our students with moderate to severe disabilities. Out of this amount, the state provides only $297 million, leaving a gap of $425 million that Los Angeles Unified is forced to use other funds to fill. We serve more than 25,000 students with moderate to severe disabilities, or approximately 4.4 percent of total enrollment. By comparison, the statewide average for all school districts is 2.2 percent of total enrollment of students who have moderate to severe disabilities.
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