top of page

OUR RICH HISTORY

Late in 1970, nine special education directors from southern California met to explore the possibility of forming a professional association aimed at improving communication between the public and private sector. In March of 1971, their idea was realized by the convening their first Annual Conference, and finally incorporating in 1973 as a California non-profit corporation, .

CAPSES’ primary mission is to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities by advocating for them in public policy and by promoting high quality instruction, guidance, therapy and staff development.

 

Focusing on the need for private schools to be heard, as well as the challenge of assisting parents in their search for appropriate special education alternatives, CAPSES pushed forward to create a structure that would grow into the statewide, private, nonprofit professional association that exists today.​


CAPSES’ membership currently includes over 170 private special education schools, nonpublic agencies and other individuals interested in the welfare of children with disabilities and the private schools and agencies who serve them.

The number of special education students enrolled in California's public schools has grown to 836,846 in 2023-2024 (newborn through twenty-two years of age), almost five times the number enrolled  since the California Master Plan for Special Education was first implemented in 1980.

CAPSES member agencies serve over 8,200 pupils through member organizations, accounting for nearly 80 percent of all children contracted for and placed by California Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA) and California School Districts in California Nonpublic Schools and Agencies.
 

Happy Family
Donation Boxes
Smiling Girl
Doctor Talking to Boy in Wheelchair
Volunteers Packing Food
Open Space Office
Homework Help
Holding Hands

CAPSES through the Decades

1970s

  • 1970: Formation of CAPSH by 7 nonpublic school administrators. 

  • 1973: CAPSH Board took legal action suing the Department of Defense (CHAMPUS military health plan).

  • 1973: CA Assoc of Schools for Handicapped (CAPSH) renamed to CAPSES. 

  • 1975: Public Law 94-142 (EHA) passes Congress. Renamed IDEA upon reauthorization.. 

  • 1976: CAPSES is incorporated as a 501(c)3.

  • 1978: CAPSES accreditation process  is adopted by CDE in 1978 to certify nonpublic schools.

 

1980s

  • 1980: California Dept of Education  implementation of IDEA through a Master Plan for Special Education

  • 1980: SB 1870: CAPSES cost study and and billing on a monthly basis to allow NPS to survive. 

  • 1981: CAPSES hires Wayne Miyamoto as Executive Director and Lobbyist. 

  • 1982: Cost study by CAPSES (Wayne), CDE, DOF to compare NPS versus LEA cost of special ed. 

  • 1983: CAPSES  office moves from North Hollywood to Sacramento. 

  • 1983: Regional meetings established by CAPSES to communicate policy and legislation to members.

  • 1984: CAPSES joins CAPSO and Wayne assists in building the “association of associations.”

  • 1985: Ethics code established for CAPSES members, including quality standards for NPS and NPAs. It was made public to set statewide standards. 

​

1990s

  • 1990: In partnership with CDE and SELPA, an NPS’ contract manual was written to assist districts in contracting with NPSA.

  • 1994: AB2355 created a Task Force with CAPSES, SELPA, DOF, CDE, and LEA to look at process and procedures of NPSA.

  • 1996: APLE grants were made available to NPS teachers through CAPSES efforts with Student Aid Commission.. 

  • 1998: AB602: provides per pupil special ed funding to the SELPAs based on LEA total enrollment. A separate fund established as “Extraordinary cost pool” to cover high cost placements in NPS.

  • 1999: A CAPSES administrator appointed to the state Advisory Commission for Special Education (ACSE).

  • 1999: CAPSES litigated against CDE and the Legislature over budget language which de-certified NPS who increased their rate. A settlement agreement with  CDE removed the rate prohibition! 

  • 1999: NPS teachers get state income tax credit for expenses.

 

2000s

 

  • 2003: AB 1858: CAPSES amends the bill’s standards for NPS in curriculum, reporting to parents, setting up certification cycles with CDE. Established the requirements for the Master Contracts and Individual Service Agreements  that we still use today.

  • 2009: CAPSES opposed CDE behavioral intervention regulations that were in conflict with our research and philosophy of practice. 

​

bottom of page