Special Education Services
Special Education is not a place; it is a service.
The goal is to provide all students with a disability the support necessary for success in the least restrictive classroom environment. Through partnership between parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and related service providers, WISH achieves excellence in teaching and learning for all students.
For more information regarding WISH’s Special Education program or services, contact your school’s vice principal or Rachel Woodward, WISH’s Director of Special Services, at [email protected] or (310) 642-9474, Ext 102.
- A Parent’s Guide to Special Education Services (Including Procedural Rights and Safeguards)-- English & Spanish
- The IEP & You - A guide for parents with information about the IEP meeting-- English & Spanish
- The ITP & You - An informational guide for students with disabilities ages 14 and older and their families about the individual transition plan (ITP) -- English & Spanish
- Are you Puzzled by Your Child’s Special Needs - Special education services information for parents --English & Spanish
- LAUSD Parent Resources for Engagement & Student Success Brochure - English & Spanish
At WISH Charter Schools, we believe that open communication is the foundation of a strong school community. We have a Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) in place to address concerns of any nature, and we are committed to resolving issues promptly, fairly, and respectfully.
If you have a concern, we encourage you to start by connecting directly with your child's teacher. Many questions and concerns can be resolved quickly through this first conversation.
If you've already spoken with the teacher and still have concerns, please reach out to your school's principal, who can help address the issue at the site level.
If, after working with your school site administration, you feel your concern remains unresolved, please contact our Director of Special Services or Special Education Coordinator, who are available to support families in finding a path forward.
We're grateful for the trust you place in us and are committed to working together to support every student's success.
Students with Disabilities & Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive the reasonable accommodations they need to access their education.
A student qualifies for support under Section 504 if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities — meaning they're unable to do something that most students their age can typically do without difficulty. Major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks.
If you think your child may need a Section 504 Accommodation Plan, we're here to help. Please reach out to your child's teacher, your school's 504 Coordinator (the School Counselor), or Rachel Woodward, Director of Special Services and Section 504 Designee.
Contact Your School Counselor:
Elementary School Counselor · Middle School Counselor · High School Counselor
Helpful Resources:
College Board & ACT Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
The College Board and ACT administer college entrance exams used for admission to four-year colleges and universities. Students with disabilities can apply through these organizations for testing accommodations, and our Student Support Services team is happy to help guide families through the process. Please note that submitting the application and required documentation remains the responsibility of the parent or student.
College Board (PSAT, SAT, and AP Exams)
As a service to our families, we're glad to assist with requests for College Board testing accommodations. Please note these exams are not required for community college admission.
Details on how to apply, along with documentation requirements, are available at collegeboard.com/ssd/student. Applications are submitted electronically through Student Support Services. Please submit a completed Student Eligibility Form and Consent Form to the WISH Academy High School Counselor. If your student does not yet have a formal accommodation plan in place, please include supporting documentation with your request.
The ACT Test
Details on ACT testing accommodations and documentation requirements are available at actstudent.org. To request accommodations, register for the test, indicate your need for accommodations and/or English learner supports, and select the accommodation type needed. Once you receive a confirmation email from ACT, please submit a completed Consent to Release Information form to WISH Academy’s High School Counselor, who will forward your request to ACT on your behalf.
Resources:
- ACT Services for Students with Disabilities
- ACT Test Dates & Application Deadlines
- ACT Teacher Survey Form
- Consent to Release Information to ACT - English & Spanish
Please submit all required forms and documentation to Student Support Services at least two weeks before the applicable deadline.
Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Student Services: Get Connected to Career and Independent Living Support
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) offers valuable services to help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school, including career exploration, job training, work-based learning experiences, and support toward independent living. These services are available to students with an IEP or 504 Plan who are age 16 or older.
How to Apply
While DOR does offer an online application, we recommend that students age 16 and over complete the paper application (Application link) and return it directly to your child's special education teacher. This is the fastest way to get the process started, as it allows our team to help ensure the application is complete and submitted correctly on your behalf.
If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to your local DOR office or send an email to the Youth Services inbox. They are happy to walk you through the process.
WISH Charter Schools is committed to maintaining accurate, secure, and confidential special education records for all students. These records — including eligibility documentation, assessments, progress notices, and related special education records — are retained in accordance with California law and our Board-adopted Document Retention Policy.
Special education records are classified as Mandatory Interim Pupil Records under California regulations. They are retained for a minimum of five years and may become eligible for destruction three years after a student leaves WISH.
If you would like a copy of your child's special education records or have questions about our records retention practices, please contact the Director of Special Services.