Evolving our Organization and our Sector

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 was 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 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 was established as an “Extraordinary cost pool” to cover high-cost placements in NPS.
1999: A CAPSES administrator was 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.