Placement: Deciding Where a Student Spends the School Day

Where and when a student goes to school is called the placement. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes how much time a student spends in different settings. It also includes a statement about how much time the student spends with non-disabled students. The IEP Team, including the parent, makes decisions about placement after talking about Read More

IDEA: The Foundation of Special Education

A Brief Overview Full Article The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that was passed in 1990 and has been amended. The IDEA provides children with qualifying disabilities, from birth to age 21, with the right to services designed to meet their unique, individual needs. Eligible children ages 3-21 who receive Read More

When Parents and Schools Disagree: Navigating Special Education Disputes

A Brief Overview: Full Article The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each state education agency provide ways to solve disagreements between parents and schools regarding a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). These options ensure that parents and schools can work towards a mutually agreeable solution while protecting the child’s right to a Read More

2024 Law in Washington State Requires Daily Recess for Children in Public Schools  

A Brief Overview:  Full Article:   Rain or shine, “well behaved or not”, daily recess is a very important part of education for every child going to school. And now it is required by the new Washington State Daily Recess Law, RCWA 28A 230.295. When school days are 5 hours or longer, schools are now required Read More

From Birth to Three Toolkit

From Birth to Three Toolkit A Guide to Washington Services for Infants and Toddlers (ages 0-3 with disabilities) New parents have a lot to manage. Concern about whether a child’s growth and development are on track can be confusing. This toolkit provides places to begin if caregivers suspect that a baby or young child may Read More

Planning my Path – A User-Friendly Toolkit for Young Adults

Planning My Path Practical Tips and Tools for Future Planning Presenting our newest resource – the Planning My Path Practical Tips and Tools for Future Planning. This toolkit encompasses a collection of our informative articles, complemented by easy to understand timeline charts to provide you with a solid foundation as you navigate through this crucial transition period. Read More

Special Education Blueprint: The Six Principles of IDEA 

Navigating the education system can be challenging for students with special needs and their families. Fortunately, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides a robust framework to ensure that eligible students receive the support they need. IDEA is a federal law built on six key principles that guarantee specific rights and protections.  The six Read More

Starting School: When and How to Enroll a Student in School

A Brief Overview Full Article If your child has never enrolled in school, back to school season can be a confusing time. This article answers frequently asked questions about school entrance age, compulsory education, and the enrollment process.  Note that “enrollment” and “registration” are used interchangeably regarding the steps leading up to a student starting Read More

School Services That Can Be Billed to Medicaid

Brief Overview: Full Article Individualized services that children receive through their IEP or IFSP may be covered by Medicaid. Medicaid will pay for health-related services in an Individual Education Program (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) if they are already Medicaid-covered services, if the student qualifies for Medicaid for health insurance. The Individuals with Read More

Tips to Help Parents Plan for the Upcoming School Year

A Brief Overview Full Article Summer provides an opportunity to reset for the school year ahead. If your child has a disability, you may want to think about what went well or what could have gone better last year. By getting organized, you can plan for fall and beyond. This article includes resources and information Read More

Steps to Read, Understand, and Develop an Initial IEP

A Brief Overview Full Article After a student is determined eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the process of building the IEP can feel intimidating. This article provides tips to help family members read through a draft IEP and prepare to participate on the IEP team that will finalize the program before services begin. Read More

Steps to Read, Develop, and Understand an IEP Worksheet

The IEP document is a lot to absorb. You will be better prepared to support your child when you review the IEP draft before meeting with the IEP team for the first time. A child’s education is worth taking time to read for understanding. Subject Service Minutes What Related/Ancillary Services is your child eligible to Read More

Section 504: A Plan for Equity, Access and Accommodations

A Brief Overview Full Article A student with a disability is protected by multiple federal laws. One of them is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is upheld by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act and provides key protections against disability discrimination. To uphold Read More

What Happens During an Early Intervention Evaluation?

Early Intervention is intended for infants and toddlers who have a developmental delay or disability. Eligibility is determined by evaluating the child (with parental consent) to see if the child does, in fact, have a delay in development or a disability. Eligible children can receive early intervention services from birth to the third birthday. After Read More

LGBTQ+ and Disability Rights in School

A Brief Overview Full Article LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or sometimes questioning), and others. The “plus” represents other gender identities including pansexual, Two-Spirit, non-binary, gender-fluid. Youth and young adults with disabilities may also have diverse sexualities and gender identities. LGBTQ+ identities are NOT disabilities, but students with disabilities Read More