The OSPI Office of Special Education aspires to ensure students with disabilities receive Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). About 14 percent of students overall receive special education services in the state of Washington.

These pages are dedicated to providing students and families with information about special education, to ensuring that students and families know about their rights, and answering questions they may have about how the process works.

Overview

For an overview of special education and to learn more about how the different components of special education fit together to provide your student with an education, start here:

• What Is Special Education?
• How Special Education Works
• Laws and Procedures
• Parent and Student Rights (Procedural Safeguards)

Topics

• Making a Referral for Special Education
• Eligibility for Special Education
• Prior Written Notice
• Evaluations
• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Placement Decisions and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Transition (Ages 16-21)
• Behavior and Discipline
• Disagreements and Disputes related to Special Education
• Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
• Need Assistance?