Seattle Public Schools provides special education and related services to eligible children and youth with disabilities, from birth through 21. We offer services in all schools and at various community and agency sites. In some cases, we provide services through other school districts or by approved outside agencies through inter-local service agreements.

Preschoolers and students are identified and provided appropriate special education services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. The student's parent(s) and a team of professionals together develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). We then place students in the program best suited to deliver the services specified in their IEP. Children and youth with IEPs mayreceive specially designed instruction and related services such as speech or physical therapy if needed.

We believe in educating students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Each student has access to an appropriate learning environment and an opportunity for education with non disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate at his or her chosen school or at a site as close as possible to his or her neighborhood school.