It is the policy of the Seattle School Board to provide a free, appropriate public education to all eligible students with disabilities from ages 3 until graduation from high school with a regular high school diploma, or through the age of 21, in a manner that comports with federal and state law and regulations and that is in accordance with the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Transition Plan.

Seattle Public Schools is committed to providing programs and services to eligible students that support their full participation in learning experiences in their least restrictive environment and which result in student development of skills and understandings needed to access postsecondary education, vocational training, employment, and independent living. Programs and services are identified in students’ IEP and are based upon evaluative data. Parents/guardians and staff work collaboratively through the IEP team process to develop and deliver educational programs as well as to monitor student progress. As stated in Policy No. 0010, Instructional Philosophy, the District will serve students with disabilities as general education students first and provide the services and supports in accordance with their Individualized Education Programs as required. 

Seattle Public Schools will conduct Child Find activities in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations that are calculated to reach all students with a suspected disability and in need of receiving special education and related services. As stated in Policy No. 0030, Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity, the District is committed to eliminating racial disproportionality in all aspects of education, and to raising the achievement of all students, while narrowing the gaps between the lowest and highest performing students. This includes students with disabilities.

Further, it is the policy of the Seattle School Board to ensure that the parent/ guardian of a special education student will be informed of actions proposed in regard to identification, evaluation and placement of the student. Such information will be provided in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Superintendent Procedure

• 2161SP – Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

Policy Cross References

• 0010 – Instructional Philosophy
• 0030 – Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity
• 2015 – Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials
• 2080 – Assessment
• 2163 – Supports and Interventions
• 2190 – Highly Capable Program
• 2415 – High School Graduation Requirements
• 2421 – Promotion/Retention
• 3111 – Children of Seattle School District Employees
• 3115 – Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services
• 3116 – Dependent Students (Foster Care)
• 3201 – Discipline Appeal Council
• 3207 – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying of Students
• 3225 – School-Based Threat Assessment
• 3246 – Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Physical Crisis Intervention

Previous Policies

• C51.00
• C60.00
• C62.00
• C62.01
• C63.00
• C64.00
• C65.00
• C66.00
• C67.00
• C68.00
• C69.00

Legal References

• Chapter 28A.155 RCW: Special Education
• Chapter 392-172A WAC: WAC 392-172A-02050 Least Restrictive Environment
• WAC 392-172A-03000 Parental consent for initial evaluations, initial services and reevaluations;
• WAC 392-172A-03020 Evaluation Procedures, WAC 03025 Review of existing data for evaluations and reevaluations
• WAC 392-172A-04000 through 04110 Students in Private or Public Schools Placed or Referred by School Districts
• WAC 392-172A-05005 Independent Education Evaluation
• WAC 392-172A-05010 Prior Notice and Contents
• WAC 392-172A-05025 through 05045 State Community Complaint Procedures
• WAC 392-172A-05080 through 05125 Due Process Hearing Procedures
• WAC 392-172A-05120 Attorneys’ Fees
• WAC 392-172A-05240 Student Rights to Educational Records
• WAC 392-172A-05130 Surrogate Parents
• WAC 392-172A-05245 District Procedures for Confidential Information
• Rules for the Provision of Special Education
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 20 USC Chapter 33 Subchapter II and II; 34 CFR 300: Regulations of the Offices of the Department of Education

Management Resources

• Basic Rules of Seattle Public Schools

Revisions

• September 12, 2023 (per Policy No. 1310)
• July 2022
• November 2017
• July 2013 (reformatted and numbered only)

Adopted by the Board

• October 2007