The majority of OCDE Special Classes are located on district school sites throughout Orange County, allowing student access to general education classes and campus facilities. Classes are located on a variety of elementary, middle school, high school and college campuses.

While each student's IEP specifies designated instructional services, all classes are supported by consultation and direct classroom collaboration and support from an adapted physical education teacher, speech and language specialist, occupational therapist, school nurse, vocational education consultant, vision specialist, mobility specialist, and school psychologist. In addition, some students receive the support of a school counselor who provides both individual and group counseling.

Teachers communicate regularly with parents and other care providers. Parent/teacher communication may include a daily home-school communication book, phone calls, progress reports, report cards, and conferences, all designed to keep parents apprised of their child's progress and accomplishments between IEP team meetings.


An essential element of our programs is collaboration among the adults supporting the student. Teachers and classroom paraeducators are provided in-class instructional support and meet with the support staff on a regular basis to discuss each student's progress.