Special Populations
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Helping all learners achieve success and reach their goals
Early Education
Our mission is to provide early intervention, professional development, and foster leadership to ensure every child has equitable access to high-quality early education by supporting the individual needs of children, families, and early learning and care settings that result in sustainable changes.
English Learners
English proficiency levels at all ages require both integrated English language development (ELD) and specialized attention to students' particular language learning needs, or designated ELD.
Foster Youth
The California Department of Education administers the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs (FYSCPs) through county offices of education to provide support services to foster children who suffer the traumatic effects of displacement from family and schools and multiple placements in foster care.
Homeless Education
There are an estimated 20,000 youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego County. SDCOE provides support and resources to the 42 school districts in the county, Juvenile Court and Community Schools, and countywide charter schools to implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
LGBTQIA+ Youth
The San Diego County Office of Education is dedicated to supporting school district offices, parents, and community-based agencies in topics related to LGBTQIA+ youth by providing training, staff development, technical assistance, and consultation.
Migrant Education
Migrant Education is a federally funded program authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act designed to provide supplementary educational and support services to identified migratory children and youth.
Military Families
Military families often encounter challenges related to school enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation due to frequent relocations in service to our country. SDCOE provides school district designated liaisons with information, professional development, and resources needed to facilitate their work and better serve the unique needs of military students and families.
Refugee and Immigrant Newcomer Families
Learn more about services and supports for new refugee and immigrant families, including resettlement / refugee service organizations, embassies and consulates, English as a Second Language classes for adults, employment services and job preparation, and more.
SELPAs
There are six SELPAs (Special Education Local Plan Areas) in San Diego County. SDCOE is the administrative unit for North Coastal, North Inland, East County, and South County SELPAS; the San Diego Unified School District is the administrative unit for its SELPA, as is the Poway Unified School District.
Special Education
Learn more about the special education support SDCOE provides to students, including services at Friendship School, Davila Day School, North County Academy, HOPE Infant Family Support Program, and Juvenile Court and Community Schools throughout San Diego County.