Procedural Safeguards

Notice of Special Education Procedural Safeguards for Students and Their Families
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, concerning the education of students with disabilities, requires schools to provide adult students or the parents or surrogate parents of a student with a disability, or suspected disability, with a notice containing a full explanation of the rights available to you under IDEA and the U.S. Department of Education regulations. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) oversees State rules governing the provision of special education. These rules are found in Chapter 392-172A Washington Administrative Code (WAC). This document conforms to the U.S. Department of Education’s Model Procedural Safeguards Notice, revised in June 2009.

School districts must provide parents a copy of the Notice of Special Education Procedural Safeguards:
  • At least once every school year
  • When you or others, including the district, request that your student be evaluated to determine eligibility for special education services. This process is called a referral.
  • The first time you file a citizen complaint in a school year.
  • The first time you request a due process hearing in a school year.
  • When a decision is made to remove a student for more than ten school days in a year as part of a disciplinary action, and that removal constitutes a change of placement.
  • Upon request.
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