History

Late in 1970, nine special education directors from southern California met to explore the possibility of forming a professional association aimed at improving communication between the public and private sector. In March of 1971, their idea was realized by the convening their first Annual Conference.

Incorporated in 1973 as a California non-profit corporation, CAPSES’ primary mission is to promote the delivery of quality special education and services in both the non-public and public sectors of education. Focusing on the need for private schools to be heard, as well as the challenge of assisting parents in their search for appropriate special education alternatives, CAPSES pushed forward to create a structure that would grow into the statewide, private, nonprofit professional association that exists today.

CAPSES’ membership currently includes over 190 private special education schools and agencies as well as other individuals interested in the welfare of special needs youngsters and the private schools who serve them.While the number of special education students served in California has grown by, at least, four times since the California Master Plan for Special Education was first implemented in 1980, CAPSES member schools continue to serve a minmum of 80 percent of all children served in California nonpublic schools.