Special education: nonpublic, nonsectarian schools or agencies: certification.

Existing law sets forth a method for providing special education and related services to pupils with exceptional needs. Existing law also permits, under certain circumstances, contracts to be entered for the provision of those services by nonpublic, nonsectarian schools or agencies, as defined. Existing law authorizes a master contract for special education and related services provided by a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency only if the school or agency has been certified by the Superintendent of Public Instruction as meeting specified standards. Existing law authorizes a nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that seeks certification to file an application, including specified information, with the Superintendent. Existing law also requires the nonpublic, nonsectarian school or agency that is applying for certification to submit, on a form developed by the State Department of Education, a signed verification by local educational agency representatives that they have been notified of the intent to certify or renew certification. Existing law requires the State Department of Education to mail renewal application materials to certified nonpublic, nonsectarian schools and agencies at least 120 days before the expiration date of their current certification. This bill would require the local educational agency to send the applicant an acknowledgment, rather than a signed verification, as specified. The bill would delete the provision requiring the State Department of Education to mail renewal application materials, and instead require the department to provide electronic notification of the availability of these materials to certified nonpublic, nonsectarian schools and agencies at least 120 days before the date their current certification expires.