In the Candidate’s Words: Ankur Patel on Special Education

“Special Education is not a side program or an afterthought; it is a core responsibility of our public school system.”

— Ankur Patel

In the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where roughly 16% of the students receive special education services, many families say the system is failing them. In a recent survey, more than half of respondents reported they were “not very” or “not at all” confident that their child was getting the support they need. It’s a frustration that has simmered for years, yet one that seldom gets talked about by candidates in Los Angeles School Board elections.

Seeking clarity for families and the taxpayers who fund these services, I sent six questions to every candidate in the June 2, 2026, School Board election. So far, only Board District 4 candidate Ankur Patel has replied. His responses follow.

• Question 1: If elected, will you sponsor and work for the passage of the proposed “Improving Special Education Within the LAUSD” resolution?

Yes, I agree with the essence of this resolution and am actively campaigning on these issues. Having worked a long-term assignment in a moderate-to-severe special day class, I’ve seen firsthand how much more we need to do for our students, especially those with special education needs. This resolution can help propel that work at school sites, supported by meaningful support from the District.

• Question 2: Have you signed the petition supporting the proposed “Improving Special Education Within the LAUSD” resolution? If not, please share why or whether you plan to.

Yes. If I wouldn’t sign a public petition during a campaign, how could you count on me to act on it as a Board Member? For me, it’s important to clearly show what side you’re on and what you believe in.

• Question 3: Data shows that charter schools, on average, enroll a smaller percentage of students with Special Education needs than district‑run schools. Given that Special Education funding is tied to total enrollment rather than the number of students served, would you support exploring mechanisms to ensure that schools with lower‑than‑average Special Education enrollment contribute fairly to the overall cost of services?

Yes, we need to explore all policy avenues to fully address Special Education funding.

State and federal funding needs to be adjusted, but until deduplicated, enrollment‑based funding is implemented, overlapping Local Education Agencies (LEAs) should share the cost of educating all of our students. While it is generally accepted that Independent Charter Schools, on occasion, cherry-pick good students and push-out special education students, there are examples like the Community Honoring Inclusive Model Education (CHIME) Schwarzenegger Community School in Woodland Hills, in Board District 4, that have a higher IEP percentage than the District average. Interestingly, also in Board District 4 are the Diane S. Leichman Career Preparatory and Transition Center (CTC) and Sven Lokrantz Special Education Center. I am a strong proponent for keeping these centers open and actively offering them as options to students and families.

Instead of the federal government prioritizing war and immigration and customs enforcement, it should be called on to invest in our public schools across the country. We should honor Hubert Humphrey’s words: Especially in “those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”

The cost per student in Special Education has created complex ripple effects across Los Angeles. There are not enough public school placements for the growing number of IEPs, so there is a growing number of private placements, which are more costly, or students are mainstreamed when they are not ready.

We need to change the culture of the District and the Improving Special Education Within the LAUSD resolution is a good place to start.

• Question 4: If elected, would you designate a staff member or allocate staff capacity to support families navigating Special Education services?

Yes, having been Board District 3’s School and Community Coordinator for 3 years (2015-2018), I believe designating a specific staff member to support families navigating Special Education is a good idea that I would implement.

• Question 5: During my two terms volunteering on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), I often felt that the committee’s work was constrained by district staff. As a Board Member, how would you ensure that the CAC can provide independent, community‑driven feedback on Special Education services?

I understand why you felt constrained by District Staff while volunteering on the CAC. Your articles are insightful and point to the District’s allegiance to bureaucracy while marginalizing parent and community input.

As a Board Member, I would support the CAC setting its agenda with District staff input, not vice versa. I guarantee that I will accept independent, community-driven feedback on Special Education services directly from the CAC and individual parents, students, teachers, staff, and whistleblowers.

• Question 6: Is there anything else you would like to share about your views on Special Education or how the District can better support students and families?

Every child deserves an excellent education - no matter their abilities, learning style, or needs. Special Education is not a side program or an afterthought; it is a core responsibility of our public school system. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law which affirms that obligation, but the reality is that the special education mandate has not been funded properly, and LAUSD has to fill that gap by making impossible choices, and students and teachers feel the strain.

My perspective comes from firsthand experience. I had a long-term assignment in a moderate-to-severe Special Education classroom at OVMS, where I saw what success looks like: coordinated teams of aides and educators, individualized instruction, and strong collaboration with families. In those environments, students thrive because programs are tailored to their behaviors, personalities, goals, and support needs.

But I have also seen classrooms stretched beyond capacity, with large class sizes, limited support staff, unaddressed behavior issues, and educators asked to do more with less. The issue is not just funding; it is also implementation, prioritization, and the will to scale what we know works.

In Board District 4, we have powerful examples of what is possible. Specialized campuses like the Diane Leichman Career Preparatory and Transition Center show how thoughtful design, accessibility, and dedicated staffing can transform learning for students with significant needs. We should be expanding and strengthening these models, not mainstreaming students before they are ready.

We must also confront inequities in access. Families who understand the system often secure services, while others do not access supports that could help their children succeed. This is sometimes due to stigma or lack of information. Special Education must be responsive, transparent, and equitable, with decisions about IEPs and 504 plans applied consistently and fairly across schools.

As a Board Member, I will advocate for increased state and federal investment in Special Education while also pursuing local solutions now. That includes rethinking staffing models, deploying expert teachers strategically, strengthening training for new educators, and designing student schedules and class structures that allow every learner to receive meaningful attention. Innovation is how we move forward.

My vision is holistic. Strong Special Education systems strengthen the entire District. When we meet the needs of students who require the most support, we raise the standard of education for everyone.

I will be a proactive Board Member who listens to parents, students, and educators, learns from proven models across districts and around the world, and works relentlessly to ensure our schools deliver the high-quality education that helps every child live their best life.

Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections at TheDifrntDrmr.