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Special education and developmental resources for Seattle-area kids with learning disabilities or delays in development.
IEPs and 504 Plans
Washington Administrative Code
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Read this book:
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition - The Special Education Survival Guide by Pam and Pete Wright.
This must read book covers everything you need to know to be effective working with your school to develop an IEP or 504.IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. 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. The US Department of Education's IDEA 2004 web site is intended to provide a one-stop shop for resources related to IDEA and its implementing regulations.
IDEA 2004 became effective July 1, 2005. The federal regulations for IDEA 2004 became effective October 13, 2006. Many states, including Washington, are currently in the process of updating their special education laws and regulations to align with IDEA 2004. School districts must follow current state laws and regulations until they are changed, unless they are wholly inconsistent with the IDEA 2004. State law and regulations can provide more than the IDEA requires. But if IDEA 2004 requires or permits something, and state law or regulation doesn't affect it, the state must follow IDEA 2004.
Click here for a text of the IDEA
Click here the IDEA regulations
What is an IEP? What is a 504 Plan?
An IEP is the legal document that outlines the specific needs, learning objectives and individualized instruction plan for special education students.
A 504 Plan is a list of accommodations for a disabled student who do not qualify for special education services to ensure they have the ability to participate fully in the educational program. For more information about 504 plans: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 392-172
The WAC outlines the rules for the provision of special education to special education students in Washington State. The WAC has not yet been updated to reflect the changes in IDEA 2004, but is still applicable to the extent that it is not inconsistent with IDEA 2004.
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
The School Superintendent’s page gives some basic information about IDEA 2004 and Special Education in Washington State. Most helpful are its links (use the left hand navigation bar) on dispute resolution and the Special Education Ombudsman.
Most school districts do not post a lot of detail about their special education process on-line. Seattle School District is the exception. Use the left hand navigation bar to navigate the site. You can find everything from disability category definitions to the procedure manual which governs all special education functions -- SIT Meetings (school intervention team), evaluations, IEPs, eligibility and evaluations – to name a few. It is worth reading the procedures manual if you are going to be attending any type of special education meeting. You’ll find out, for example, that the purpose of the SIT process is to prevent unnecessary referrals to special education. And that you have the right to request an evaluation each year, but you must do so in writing.
David A. Anderson, Attorney at Law
Specializes in guardianship for children with special needs.7016 35th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115206-267-7200Karen L. Mitterer, Attorney at Law
Specializing in special education and disability law. Call (206) 669-6167 or email dudley615@aol.com for more information.Charlotte Cassady, Attorney at Law,
Specializing in disability law, including special needs trusts, guardianship, and special education
law. Call (206) 264-9420 or email CDCassady@aol.com for more information.Jeannette A. Cohen M.Ed. J.D. Attorney at Law,
17826 1st Avenue NW, Shoreline, WA 98177, (206) 542-7234.Daussault Law Group
The Daussalt Law Group specializes in Spec Ed law, advocacy, estate planning and guardianships. 2722 Eastlake Ave E, Ste 200 Seattle, Washington 98102 Phone: (206) 324-4300 bus@dussaultlaw.com.Larry M Davis, Education Advocate
Bridging the gap between parents and schools. larrydavis@specialeducationadvocacy.org. (www.specialeducationadvocacy.com)Wrightslaw
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about effective advocacy for children with disabilities. You'll find hundreds of articles, cases, newsletters, and other information about special education law and advocacy in the Wrightslaw Libraries.
Schwablearning.com
In addition to having tons of resources on a whole variety of learning disability topics, SchwabLearning.com has a list of helpful articles:
On IEPs and 504 plans: http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.aspx?g=4&s=5
Legal rights and advocacy: http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.aspx?g=4&s=6
IDEA Overview: http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=978&f=relatedlinkAbout.com
About.com has lots of information about parenting special needs children as well as a section with IEP information: http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialeducation/a/iepfaq.htm
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Revised:
08/16/08.
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