Approximately 13,300 students with special needs, from birth to 21 years of age, are served by the Special Services Division. These students receive services in Tulare County's 43 school districts and in special centers operated by the Tulare County Office of Education.

In Tulare County, all 43 school districts are part of the Tulare County/District Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). The Tulare County Office of Education houses the SELPA office and acts as the administrative unit of the SELPA. The governance of the SELPA is vested in the Superintendent's Governance Committee composed of superintendents representing the 43 districts and by the Tulare County Superintendent of Schools, Tim Hire. For additional information visit the SELPA website.

The Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) provides a comprehensive continuum of programs designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities, ranging from mild to profound. Services include related services that support participation in general education settings, as well as Special Day Classes (SDC) for students requiring a modified curriculum. When appropriate, instruction may also be provided in a home or hospital setting, or through residential nonpublic placements.

TCOE also operates the Bright Start Parent/Infant Program to serve children from birth to age 3 who have, or are at risk of having, disabilities.

In addition, TCOE provides educational services to at-risk students who attend Court and Community Schools and to incarcerated youth.

The Tulare County Office of Education provides Special Education services for students in our 34 small school districts with mild disabilities throughout the county.