What is a Moderate/Severe Special Day Class (SDC)?

This is a more restrictive SDC class (specific to California), which uses a modified curriculum. The curriculum taught in a moderate–severe special education class is often called “Life Skills” or “Functional Skills.” If a student is placed in this setting and remains there until high school, they are unlikely to earn a diploma. This is important for families to be aware of, as being in this placement up until high school can put the student so far behind that they likely will not have access to a general education curriculum. Note: every district is different, and names for these classes may differ from one district to another, so it’s important for parents to make sure they understand which class is being discussed for their child.

For more, see our article Least Restrictive Environment and Placement Options in an IEP.