Fiscal Tools

Special Education Efficiency Tool

Local educational agencies (LEAs) throughout the state face an ongoing challenge in funding the costs of serving students in special education. FCMAT has developed the Special Education Efficiency Tool as a resource for LEAs to analyze various areas within special education. The intent is for fiscal and special education staff to work together to complete the tool, and for this process to help guide a conversation about how to provide the best services for students in the most efficient manner and least restrictive environment.

The tool has 22 questions, some of which are tied to worksheets in the tool. Responses are limited to “yes,” “no,” and “not met,” which allows LEAs to identify areas that may need additional attention.

Districts should complete the tool annually and discuss the items in the Special Education Efficiency Tool regularly.

 

FAQs

Click an FAQ to open the container and view the answer.

Current Version:


Version 7:
Release Date May 1, 2025

This version of the Special Education Efficiency Tool contains the following updates:

Instructions Tab

  • Added CALPADS Report 16.21 (Students with Disabilities – Overdue Plan Review and Reevaluation Meetings Student List) to the list of documents/data the LEA must gather

Efficiency Tool Tab

  • Revised questions 12-18 to better align with Local Level Annual Performance Report language and to reflect the most recent data
  • Added CALPADS Report 16.21 (Students with Disabilities – Overdue Plan Review and Reevaluation Meetings Student List) as a source document for question 20

Identification Standards Tab

  • Updated the statewide percentage of students enrolled in special education to reflect the most recent data (2023-24)
  • Updated statewide average percentages by disability type using the most recent data (2023-24)
  • Split annual performance indicators 9 and 10 into separate questions to allow the LEA to respond “yes” or “no” individually
  • Renamed the disability category “emotional disturbance” to “emotional disability” to align with Assembly Bill 2173, signed into law in July 2024
  • Made Columns E and F fillable to allow the LEA to add notes as needed
  • Updated cell formatting

 Staffing and Caseload Standards Tab

  • Renamed various categories and added additional categories names for consistency
  • Updated various calculations
  • Added data validation and formatting to various cells

Additional Resources


Using the FCMAT Special Education Efficiency Tool

Presentation handout from CASBO Sacramento Section Spring Conference in March 2020 by FCMAT Intervention Specialist, Tami Ethier.

CALPADS

Students with Disabilities - Education Plan by Primary Disability, CALPADS report 16.2, is used to calculate the identification rates for the SELPA average item in the tool. A sample report is included in the training presentation. Note, login credentials are required to access CALPADS.

DataQuest

DataQuest provides meaningful data and statistics about California's K-12 public educational system that supports a wide variety of informational, research, and policy needs. Summary and detailed data reports are available for multiple subject areas at the school, district, county, and state levels.

Dataquest's statewide enrollment by subgroup for charter and non-charter schools is referenced in the tool.

CalEdFacts

CalEdFacts is a compilation of statistics and information on a variety of issues concerning education in California. CalEdFacts' psychologist and nurse caseload information is referenced in the tool.

LCFF/SCFF Imagery