Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Significant Disproportionality

Local educational agencies that have been identified as Significantly Disproportionate are required to participate in all four steps of the Compliance and Improvement Monitoring (CIM) for Significant Disproportionality (Sig Dis) process.

If your local educational agency (LEA) was identified as Significantly Disproportionate in the Annual Determination Letter, your LEA has overidentified a specific race and/or ethnicity in one or more of the following special education categories:

  • Disciplinary Action (Suspension and Expulsion)
  • Placement: More Restrictive Environments
  • Indicator 9: Special Education in General
  • Indicator 10: Special Education within a Specific Disability Category

Once identified as Significantly Disproportionate, the LEA is required to take mandatory actions including, but not limited to, reserving 15 percent of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds to develop and implement a CIM for Sig Dis action plan and provide Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) services to the identified target population.

Your Support Team

Your support teams will include California Department of Education (CDE) Intensive Monitoring Staff and the State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project (SPP-TAP) Technical Assistance Facilitator. Listed below is a link and contact information to your support team.

Technical Assistance Facilitator

Technical Assistance (TA) Facilitator: State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project website External link opens in new window or tab.

CDE Staff

Intensive Monitoring Unit Contact Information
Focused Monitoring and Technical Assistance (FMTA) I Manager: Barbara Gaskin-Wintle
Direct Telephone Number: 916-327-0865
Unit Telephone Number: 916-324-8898
Email: BGaskin@cde.ca.gov
FMTA IV Manager: Jack Brimhall
Direct Telephone Number: 916-445-1056
Unit Telephone Number: 916-445-9772
Email: JBrimhall@cde.ca.gov

For general questions about Significant Disproportionality, please visit the or email SigDisp@cde.ca.gov to be directed to the assigned FMTA Consultant.

Visit the California Special Education Technical Assistance Network (CALTAN) website External link opens in new window or tab. for more information related to the requirements of Significant Disproportionality.

2021 Significantly Disproportionate LEAs
A list of the LEAs identified as significantly disproportionate for the 2021 fiscal year.

2022 Significantly Disproportionate LEAs
A list of the LEAs identified as significantly disproportionate for the 2022 fiscal year.

2023 Significantly Disproportionate LEAs
A list of the LEAs identified as significantly disproportionate for the 2023 fiscal year.

2024 Significantly Disproportionate LEAs
A list of the LEAs identified as significantly disproportionate for the 2024 fiscal year.

More information and recorded webinars can be found on the SPP-TAP Webinars web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Special Education Division | SigDisp@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Related Content
Recently Posted in Special Education
  • Equitable Services for Students with Disabilities (updated 08-Nov-2024)
    Equitable services provisions and proportionate share calculation are required for students aged 3-21, parentally placed in private school. Local Educational Agencies have an obligation to locate and evaluate all students within their boundaries.
  • Local MTP-Education Partner IA FAQs (updated 04-Nov-2024)
    Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and guidance regarding the Local Medical Therapy Program (MTP)-Education Partner Interagency Agreement (IA).
  • FMTA Consultant Assignments by Region (updated 17-Oct-2024)
    The Focused Monitoring and Technical Assistance (FMTA) Consultants are assigned geographically and by quality assurance activity to align with the eleven California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) regions.
  • CALPADS Special Education Data Fall Roadshows (updated 17-Oct-2024)
    California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Regional trainings in Fall 2024 to inform local educational agencies (LEAs) with updates and changes to the collection of data for students with disabilities.
  • WAI State Advisory Meeting October 28 and 30, 2024 (added 15-Oct-2024)
    WorkAbility I (WAI) State Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda.