What is special education?
Special education is specialized instruction for students age birth to 21 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by state and federal government. A student may qualify for services in one of the areas as identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The following definitions are from the U.S. Department of Education website.

• Autism
• Communication Disorders
• Deafness
• Deaf-Blindness
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional/Behavioral Disability
• Health Impairment 
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

Where does the special education process begin?
The Snohomish School District participates in “Childfind” – awareness and screening activities for the purpose of locating, identifying and evaluating children who are suspected of having disabilities and who may be in need of special education services. A student may also be referred for a special education evaluation by any source, including parents. The referral is to be made in writing and submitted to the building principal or designee. For children in our community with a suspected disability who are birth to age 3, please contact Monica Cornish, our birth - 3 coordinator, at 360-563-4608. For students with a suspected disability ages 3-5 (prior to entering kindergarten) please contact Cheri Peach, our preschool coordinator, at 360-563-7321.