Policy Brief: AB 560 - Supportive Environments for Education

Download Policy Brief
AB 560 Assembly Analysis

Policy Brief #ASSD-EDU-043025-003 ‍

April 30, 2025 

Bill Number: AB 560 (Addis) 

Title: Special Education: Resource Specialists and Special Classes 

Status: Amended in Assembly 

Position: SUPPORT 

SUMMARY 

AB 560 would improve the delivery and quality of special education in California by strengthening staffing practices and workload distribution among resource specialists and ensuring more supportive environments in special education classrooms. Specifically, the bill would: 

  1. Require local educational agencies (LEAs) to take all reasonable steps to equally distribute initial assessment workloads among all employed resource specialists, unless otherwise defined through collective bargaining. 
  1. Direct the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a recommended maximum adult-to-pupil staffing ratio for special classes by July 1, 2027, informed by broad stakeholder input including teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and parents. 

WHY IT MATTERS 

California’s students with autism and other exceptional needs deserve equitable, consistent access to high-quality special education services. AB 560 addresses two growing challenges within the special education system: 

  • Uneven assessment workloads for resource specialists, which lead to delays in evaluations and Individualized Education Program (IEP) development; and 
  • Overcrowded special classes with inadequate adult-to-pupil ratios, impacting the learning environment and student safety. 

Children on the autism spectrum often require timely assessments and appropriately staffed classrooms to ensure their legal right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) under IDEA. AB 560 moves California closer to delivering on this promise. 

BACKGROUND 

Resource specialists are credentialed professionals who provide essential academic and behavioral support for students with disabilities, especially those in general education settings. Current law caps resource specialist caseloads at 28 students, but does not address how workload—especially time-consuming initial assessments—is distributed across staff. This results in assessment bottlenecks, delaying crucial services for students with autism and other exceptional needs. 

Separately, special education classrooms, especially those for students with extensive support needs, often face staffing shortages. Overcrowding, combined with the absence of clear adult-to-pupil ratio guidelines, undermines the individualized instruction and safety that these students require. AB 560 begins to address this by mandating the development of recommended ratios based on age, setting, support level, and best practices from other states. 

KEY PROVISIONS OF AB 560 

  • Equal Distribution of Assessment Workload: LEAs must make reasonable efforts to ensure initial assessments are shared evenly among resource specialists. 
  • Staffing Ratio Recommendation: The Superintendent must develop and publicly post staffing ratio recommendations by July 1, 2027. These must consider: 
  • Varying student needs (mild to extensive support) 
  • Age and school setting (preschool to secondary) 
  • Input from teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and parents 
  • Ratios used in other states and conditions in small/rural districts 

FISCAL IMPACT 

AB 560 may impose new responsibilities on LEAs and require modest funding for stakeholder engagement and data analysis by the California Department of Education. If costs are found to be state-mandated, reimbursement would occur under the Commission on State Mandates. 

AUTISM SOCIETY SAN DIEGO PERSPECTIVE 

We support AB 560 because it aligns with our strategic goals around education equity, inclusive school environments, and strengthening the special education workforce. This bill directly addresses pain points raised by families across San Diego County: 

  • Long wait times for assessments and IEP development 
  • Overcrowded classrooms with too few adults to ensure safety and engagement 
  • Burnout among special education staff, contributing to high turnover and service inconsistency 

By promoting transparency, fairness, and adequate staffing, AB 560 will help ensure that students with autism and other developmental disabilities receive timely, individualized, and effective educational supports. 

CALL TO ACTION 

We urge members of the California Legislature to vote YES on AB 560 and support this important step toward improving California’s special education system.