Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) is a SELPA

What is a SELPA?
In 1977, all school districts and county school offices were mandated to form consortiums in geographical regions of sufficient size and scope to provide for all special education service needs of children residing within the region boundaries.  Each region, Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), developed a local plan describing how it would provide special education services.  

SELPAs are dedicated to the belief that all students can learn and that special needs students must be guaranteed equal opportunity to become contributing members of society.  SELPAs facilitate high quality educational programs and services for special needs students and training for parents and educators.  The SELPA collaborates with county agencies and school districts to develop and maintain healthy and enriching environments in which special needs students and families can live and succeed.

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 Mission Statement

The mission of the Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) is to work in conjunction with school districts to provide a continuum of services and placements, staff and parent education, interagency collaboration and administrative support that will insure a high quality, individualized, free and appropriate public education for individuals with disabilities.

  We believe:

  • All people can learn
  • All people have immeasurable worth and deserve dignity and respect
  • The pursuit of excellence is continual
  • Higher expectations result in higher achievements
  • Change promotes growth
  • Learning is a lifelong process
  • Each child needs to be understood in the context of his/her family and community

 

Districts in our SELPA include East Whittier City School District, El Rancho Unified School District, Little Lake City School District, Los Nietos School District, South Whittier School District, Whittier City School District, and Whittier Union High School District.