SMMUSD Special Education

Welcome to SMMUSD Department of Special Education!

Please use our website to find useful information about special education.
Victoria Hurst, Special Education Director

Monthly Letter to Parents

• June 2025 in English and Spanish

Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records

Attention - Parents/guardians/legal conservators and Former Students of Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Special Education

Parent Resource Network (PRN):

Are you new to the District and have questions about Special Education? Do you want to chat with another parent about Special Education, whether you just started in the District or have been here many years? Please check out the Parent Resource Network page (PRN) on the left to find your PRN liaison. Our SMMUSD parents are here to help you.

If you would like to sign up as a member of our Parent Resource Network (PRN), please complete the form below.
PRN Letter
PRN Form

Child Find:

Child-finding activities are the responsibility of each district and occur prior to a referral for special education services. These activities are designed to locate individuals, birth through 21 years of age, including children not enrolled in public school programs, as well as children who are homeless or wards of the state and reside in the district and may be eligible for and in need of special education and/or related services. Child find activities also foster awareness and understanding on the part of educators, parents and other community members of the referral procedures for special education, the eligibility criteria, and the continuum of special education programs and services available. Child find activities inform educators, community agencies, and parents/guardians of their right to refer their child for a special education assessment to determine eligibility and the need for special education services. (E.C. § 56300 and 56301)
Read the Child Find flyer

IEP Process:

SMMUSD IEP Process

Core Values:

Our values are motivated by our beliefs in each individual with a disability.

The range of human diversity is embraced and the rights of all equity and access are guaranteed. Individuals will be educated in general education or natural environment to the maximum extent possible. Each individual will have options and be prepared to make choices.

Goals:

All students' unique instructional needs will be accurately identified.
All students will be served or taught by fully qualified personnel.
All students with disabilities will be successfully integrated with non-disabled peers throughout their educational experience.
All students with disabilities will meet high standards for academic and non-academic skills.
All students with disabilities will successfully participate in preparation for the workplace and independent living.

Special Education Coordinators

If you have questions that your school site cannot answer, you may schedule an appointment to meet/speak with the appropriate Special Education Coordinator:

Elementary Schools in Santa Monica - Carmen Durand, 310-450-8338 x70378
JAMS, Lincoln, SMASH, Malibu Middle and High - Dr. Michael Hoover, 310-450-8338 x70215
Santa Monica HS, Olympic and Off-Campus Learning Center, PBL - Hilda Salas, 310-450-8338 x70225
Preschool, Webster, MES, NPS, Private School - Melodi Johnson 310-450-8338 70225

Special Education Director

Victoria Hurst, Director of Special Education 310-450-8338 ext.70372