Special Education

Under the Direction of Dr. Kate Christmas, the Special Education department is an integral part of the Tustin Unified School District and provides a full continuum of program options to meet the unique needs of individuals with exceptional needs in the Least Restrictive Environment. It is the collective belief of the Tustin Unified School District that every school age child is a general education student first, and that students with an IEP should have access to the same educational programs and/or activities that are available to their nondisabled peers to the maximum extent possible.

Special Education is combination of educational and related service(s), as determined on an individual basis, to allow students with disabilities to benefit from their access to educational opportunities.  The District staff of teachers, instructional assistants, speech pathologists, special education coordinators, licensed school psychologists, and other related service specialists are dedicated to providing exceptional individualized services to students while helping them become as independent as possible.

The Tustin Unified School District, in adherence with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state law, provides a free, appropriate, public education for eligible students meeting residency requirements within the District boundaries who are between the ages of three and twenty-two. Additionally, the District serves infants with low incidence disabilities.   A student may qualify for special education services as an individual with special needs in one of thirteen areas identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you suspect a child has a disability, you can find information on making a referral or you can speak to someone in Special Education at (714) 730-7301 ext. 314.