Entering Seattle Public Schools with an IEP
Students of any age entering the district with an Individual Education
Program (IEP) must
be enrolled in the district before they can receive services. This includes students with existing IEPs who are
transferring into Seattle Public Schools from a different school district, or students transitioning from preschool.
Enroll your student through the Admissions Department. Be
sure to tell Admissions that your student has a pre-existing IEP. If possible, bring a copy of your student’s most
recent IEP and evaluation to give to Admissions.
Out of District Placement Process
Once a student with a pre-existing IEP has been enrolled, the out of district placement process begins. This process
includes:
- reviewing the student's existing evaluation and IEP
- forwarding existing materials to the student’s assigned school
- considering if the student should be reevaluated
If a reevaluation is recommended, the existing IEP will guide the services provided until a new IEP is in place.
Private Schools, Homeschools, and Contracted Placement
Students not attending SPS include homeschooled students, students voluntarily enrolled by their parents in private
schools, and students in contracted placements.
Regardless of their daily school setting, all students designated to receive services must have an IEP or Service
Plan that accurately reflects their evaluation and areas of qualification. However, the delivery of services for
students not attending SPS may be different.
Service Delivery for Private School and Homeschool
Students voluntarily attending approved private schools have
two service delivery options: a service plan or part-time enrollment. Service
delivery varies depending on the option selected. Students who are homeschooled or attending an unapproved private
school may only access services through part-time enrollment.
Service Plan (SP)
A service plan is an alternative to an IEP. It is available to select parentally-placed private school students who
are:
- enrolled in approved, non-profit private schools
- eligible for special education
- not enrolled in the district for school-based or IEP services
Part-time Enrollment
All private school and homeschooled students have the option of enrolling part-time in their resident district to
receive special education services through an IEP. If a student attends a school within the Seattle School District
but resides out of district, part-time enrollment for special education services is not an option. This was
previously called dual enrollment.
Contracted Placements
Contracted Placements are part of Seattle Public Schools’ continuum of alternative placements. In these settings, all
services will be provided in accordance with the student's IEP, that institution's policy and practice, and
Washington State Law.
Evaluations and Reevaluations
The initial referral and evaluation process is the same for students,
whether they attend Seattle Public Schools or
not. Reevaluations are not automatically conducted if students are not enrolled in Seattle Public Schools.
Reevaluations only occur for these students if their parent/guardian requests a reevaluation.