Special Education Division Mission Statement

MCOE's Special Education Division in partnership with families, local districts, and communities, provides comprehensive expertise, education, support, and tools for students with complex and intensive needs, preparing all students to achieve their unique potential as valued and contributing members of their families and society.

Who We Are

A staff of more than 400 Special Education professionals serve at more than 30 locations throughout Monterey County, serving over 700 students with moderate to severe disabilities. With expertise in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psycho-educational assessment, adapted physical education, and specialized transportation, we offer a range of classroom and support services to help students with physical, emotional, and/or mental disabilities achieve their education goals.

What We Offer

The Special Education Department offers services to meet the unique requirements of students with special needs and their families. Working closely with parents and guardians, the Special Education staff offers programs and services for students with a wide range of moderate to severe disabilities, including hearing and visual impairments, autism, significant developmental disabilities, emotional disorders, and severe speech and language impairments. Early intervention services are also available for infants and preschool aged children.

Who's Eligible

Special Education programs are available for children with special needs from birth through twenty-one years.
See specific Special Education Programs and Services for eligibility and referral details.

Special Education Programs and Services

The following continuum of program options and related services is available to meet the needs of students eligible for special education and related services. The intensity of placement and services varies greatly depending upon the severity of each student’s disability and resulting needs

General Education

To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities shall be educated with children who are not disabled, and removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment will occur only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

Specialized Instruction

Typically, students with mild disabilities can successfully access and benefit from the general education curriculum with the support of accommodations and specific skills instruction. These students are assigned to general education for the majority of the school day and receive specialized instruction for a portion of the school day from a specialist within the general education classroom and/or in a separate classroom.

Inclusion

Students with moderate to severe disabilities who are able to achieve their IEP goals and objectives within a general education classroom for the majority of the school day with the support of special education staff are sometimes served in the general education setting.

Special Classes

Students may need specialized instruction for a majority of the day in a self-contained special class on either an integrated or isolated site to accommodate their special needs. The focus of these classes varies depending on the needs of the students. Classes include, but are not limited to, the following curricular focuses:

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Related Services

Related services, also known as designated instructional services (DIS) shall be available when they are necessary for the student to benefit from his or her special education program. Students may receive any one or a combination of related services.

For More Information, contact:

  • Martina Sholiton
    Assistant Superintendent
    Connie Espinoza
    Executive Assistant
    831.755.0345
  • Michele Saleh
    Special Education Director II
    Dawn Martin
    Administrative Assistant
    831.755.6431