What are the eligibility criteria for seriously emotionally disturbed students?
Federal law has changed the eligibility category from “seriously emotionally disturbed” (SED) to “emotionally disturbed” (ED). California law continues to identify the category by the term SED. However, the criteria in both state and federal law have not changed. A student is considered seriously emotionally disturbed if, because of a serious emotional disturbance,* he exhibits one or more of the following characteristics, over a long period of time and to a marked degree, which adversely affects educational performance: (1) An inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors; (2) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers; (3) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances exhibited in several situations; (4) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; and (5) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. [34
