Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal predicts that 2020-21 will be “the most complicated school year in American history.” In preparation, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is turning out new guidance for school districts that serve more than a million students. About 143,000 Washington students receive special education and related services. No federal Read More
Category: Where to Start
A look at what steps you can take to work with your child’s school and resources related to your child’s educational needs.
Sample Letter to Request Evaluation
When a student is struggling in school and there is reason to suspect the challenges are disability related, anyone can refer the student for an educational evaluation. The final section of this article includes a sample letter for requesting a no-cost evaluation from the school district. PAVE provides an article with more detail: Evaluations Part Read More
Help for Military Families: Tips to Navigate Special Education Process in Washington State
A Brief Overview PAVE offers this article specifically to assist families navigating special education systems when they are new to our state, or if they have a child or youth who now needs special education The information in this article is available on a downloadable two-page handout. Families can get individualized help by filling out Read More
Section 504: A Plan for Equity, Access and Accommodations
A Brief Overview Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is upheld by the United States Office of Civil Rights. This law protects access rights to public places and programs for individuals with disabilities. Accommodations that support access are guaranteed, and not providing access is a form of discrimination. All students Read More
Sample Letter to Request an IEP Meeting
When a student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the school is required to review the program every year. The annual review date is listed on the cover page of the IEP document. Family members/caregivers can request additional meetings, and this article includes a sample letter that families can use to formally request an IEP Read More