Approximately 143,000 eligible students in Washington state receive special education and related services. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) fulfills the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures all children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education.

Data Collection

Under IDEA, the OSPI Special Education Division is required to submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) to OSEP that incorporates performance indicators (provided by OSEP) and targets for each indicator. In addition, OSPI must report annually to the public on the performance of each school district or educational service agency located in the State of Washington on the target’s set in the state performance plan (SPP).

Dispute Resolution

These pages contain dispute resolution options available under IDEA.

Early Childhood

These pages contain technical assistance resources for special education staff, administrators, and families of preschool children who receive special education services. 

Funding & Finance

These pages provide school district employees and the general public with a central location to find information relating to special education funding.

Guidance for Families

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.

Inclusionary Practices Professional Development Project

This page provides a description of the Inclusionary Practices Professional Development Project, and helpful resources for districts and schools to learn more about inclusion and how to implement it.

Laws & Procedures

IDEA is a federal law ensuring services to children with disabilities. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Program Improvement

The Program Improvement Team collaborates with school districts to ensure improved educational results and functional outcomes for all children with disabilities. 

Resource Library

This resource library is intended to provide guidance and professional development resources on behalf of students with disabilities.

Secondary Transition

Secondary transition services are intended to help youth with disabilities make the transition from the world of high school to the world of adulthood.