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The path from a first worry to a working plan has a few clear stops — and at each fork, the law spells out exactly what happens next. Here is the whole journey, including what comes after every decision. Press Walk me through it to travel it one step at a time, or scroll at your own pace.
Back to Special Education11 steps, start to finish
A parent, teacher, or doctor notices a child may be struggling in a way that gets in the way of learning. Anyone can start the conversation — you never have to wait to be asked. Finding kids who may need help is the district's job, too. It's a legal duty called Child Find.
Put your request to evaluate in writing — an email is perfect — to your child's teacher, the principal, or the Special Education office. The day we receive it, the timeline begins. A school may try classroom supports first, but that can't be used to put off your written request forever.
Does the district agree to evaluate? (decided within 20 school days)
Nothing is tested without your written permission. First we explain exactly what we want to look at and why.
Do you consent to the evaluation?
A team looks at your child from several angles — never a single test. It can include a school psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, OT/PT, teachers, and you. Washington (ESHB 2557) gives the district 35 school days from your written consent to finish the evaluation and give you the written report. By law you then have at least 5 school days to read it before the eligibility meeting — that reading time is your right, not a courtesy. There is never a cost to your family.
Held after your 5-school-day reading period and no later than the 40th school day after your consent, the team — and that includes you — looks at the results together and decides whether your child qualifies.
Are all three true? A disability · an adverse educational impact · a need for specially designed instruction
The team writes your child's Individualized Education Program: where they are right now, measurable goals for the year, the special education and related services the district will provide, the accommodations they'll get, and how we'll measure progress and keep you in the loop. You are a full member of the team.
Do you consent to begin special education services?
Your child learns with their classmates as much as possible, in the general classroom, with the supports they need to succeed there. A more separate setting is used only when the regular classroom, even with supports, isn't enough for a specific goal — and the path back to the general classroom is always open.
We track progress toward the goals and keep you in the loop. The whole team reviews the IEP at least once a year — and you can ask for a review sooner anytime something changes.
At least every three years, the team takes a fresh look to make sure the plan still fits.
Is your child still eligible?
By the IEP in place when your student turns 16, the plan adds transition — their own goals for work, training, college, and independent living, plus the steps to get there. At 18, the rights under IDEA transfer from parent to student, though families almost always stay closely involved.
school dayscount only days school is actually in session — weekends, breaks, and summer don't count, so on the calendar these run longer.
calendar dayscount every day, including weekends and breaks.
Source: Washington's ESHB 2557 (effective June 11, 2026) and the special education rules, WAC 392-172A (-03005, -03105, -03110, -03015). A timeline can be extended only by written agreement with the parent, with the reason documented.
Through the whole process — written out in a document called the Procedural Safeguards (we give you a copy at least once a year) — you have the right to be a full member of the team, to give or refuse consent, to receive Prior Written Notice before the district proposes or refuses a change, to review your child's records, to request an Independent Educational Evaluation, and to disagree.
We'd much rather hear from you than have you wait. If something isn't working, Washington gives families several free ways to resolve it — and using any of them never affects how your child is treated:
Each opens the official OSPI page for that option.
You don't have to figure this out alone. Reach out anytime — there's never a wrong moment to ask, and you don't need a diagnosis to start.