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​​​​​​Special education is specially designed instruction developed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability whose educational needs cannot be met without significant modification to the general instructional program.

Disabilities include: Intellectual Disability, Speech and Language Impairment, Orthopedic Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Autism, Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Deaf-Blindness, Traumatic Brain Injury, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Established Medical Disability, Multiple Disability.

​Special education services can begin at birth and continue, if needed, up to 22 years of age for students who qualify according to laws and regulations outlined by the federal and state governments and whose parents give their written consent to such services. Special education services may be offered in a variety of ways and in a variety of settings.

Autism

​Early Education Programs

Language and Behavior Classes​

Notice of Procedural Safeguards - Parent Rights

Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) Classes​

​Special Education Program Brochures​​
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​AFIRM - Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules​​​

​California Autism Professional Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN)​

Page Content: ​​​The majority of the students enrolled in the CONNECTIONS program participate in a functional life skills curriculum. As a result, many of the instructional materials needed to teach this curriculum are not on the state-adopted textbook list. Our base curriculum utilizes the SEACO Curriculum Guide for students with extensive support needs as a guide to implement functional skills strategies. The guide is aligned to grade level standards at various levels of implementations. Each school orders adapted materials and supplemental materials that make instruction relevant for the students.

Core Content/Curriculum
California has established Content Standards in the areas of: Math, Reading/Language Arts, Physical Education, History-Social Science, Science, and Visual & Performing Arts. Content Standards are designed based upon California Department of Education instructional Frameworks, to encourage the highest achievement of every student, by defining the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire at each grade level.

Framework/Standards
The California Department of Education develops curricular frameworks and instructional standards that specify, organize, and integrate the content and processes of education in each particular discipline/area of instructional content.  Its structure forms a bridge between identified standards and classroom expected instruction.

Special Education Administrators of County Offices (SEACO) Curriculum Guide
The SEACO curriculum guide is designed to enable students with moderate to severe disabilities access to the core curriculum areas of the California State Frameworks.  The standards in this curriculum are specifically selected for use with students with moderate to severe disabilities but are not intended to be the only standards that might be appropriate for students with significant needs.  Standards for this curriculum are based upon three (3) questions
•    Does this standard reflect an important curriculum goal for all students, including students with significant cognitive disabilities?
•    Can a functional performance indicator be written to show progress toward mastery of the standard?
•    Can this standard be considered appropriate if communication modes are expanded to include modified input and output tools (for example, communication boards, sign language, pictorial representation)?

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Map & Dir​ections​​ ​Principal's Message​​​ ​Email Contact​​​​​ Calendars​​ ​Picture Gallery​​​ ​AU Contact​ ​​  at Fullerton Early Learning Center 341 S. Courtney Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92833 (714) 873-0091​ ​CONNECTIONS at Fullerton Early Learning Center, in partnership with Head Start, provides specialized and inclusive preschool programs for students referred by their local school districts. Together, we offer a comprehensive early childhood experience that supports the whole child and family. ​​​ Our program is designed to support young learners in developing foundational skills within a nurturing, language-rich, and inclusive environment. The CONNECTIONS program serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) preschool students, ensuring access to high-quality early childhood experiences for all learners. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive alongside peers with and without disabilities. Instruction is guided by the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Curriculum Frameworks and incorporates evidence-based practices and developmentally appropriate activities throughout the daily schedule. A strong emphasis is placed on: Functional communication development Social-emotional growth Independence and adaptive skills Positive behavior supports Students receive individualized instruction across all parts of the day, including classroom learning, play, recess, and mealtime routines. Our inclusive model provides opportunities for students to engage in integrated activities with typically developed peers, fostering meaningful social interactions and collaborative learning experiences.  Through our partnership with Head Start, families also have access to comprehensive services that support the whole child, including health, wellness, nutrition, and family resources, as well as options for extended care and additional support beyond the school day. Student progress is monitored using the DRDP-Access, which measures growth in developmental and school readiness skills. At CONNECTIONS, we value collaboration and believe that strong partnerships among families, educators, specialists, and Head Start creating a supportive learning community where all students can succeed.​

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Contact: Sandy McShea

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Connections is a referral-based program serving students from the 28​ Orange County school districts, surrounding charter schools, ad neighboring counties throughout the region by providing ​specialized educational support and services.  Referrals are made solely by a student's district of residence or charter school when a more intensive educational setting is needed. 

Students we serve:

Serving students across 13 campuses in Orange County, the Connections program is organized into four Administrative Units, or AUs. AU 1 serves students in North Orange County, AU 2 in Central Orange County, and AU 3 in South Orange County. AU 4, a regional program dedicated to students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), operates in Irvine and Costa Mesa.​​​

Publishing Page Content 2: ​SELPAS
Special Education Local Plan Areas

Referral Process
Referral Packet (School Districts Only)

Non-Public Agency and School Database
Database Access (School Districts Only)

Directory of Schools
Administrative Unit I
Administrative Unit II
Administrative Unit III ​

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• Students with the most significant disabilities
• Students with emotional disturbance disabilities
• Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
  

​​​​​​Our Connections programs maintain a low student-to-staff ratio within structured classroom environments, ensuring access to state standards through curriculum that meets each student’s unique needs. We also focus on addressing emotional and behavioral development, while offering additional opportunities for career technical education (CTE), community-based instruction, and vocational training.

I am honored to continue supporting Connections students and their families.​​​​

Analee E. Kredel

Associate Superintendent, Connections  

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