Brief Description: Changing special education provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Rasmussen, Zarelli, Berkey, Oemig, McAuliffe, Shin and Kohl-Welles.

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
House Committee on Education

Background: In 2004, the President signed the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) into law, re-authorizing the original IDEA and aligning it with the goals and purposes of No Child Left Behind. Part B of the law ensures that children between the ages of three and 21 receive special education and related services. Washington State's special education laws follow the federal laws closely.

Summary: Some of the language and terms in Washington State's special education laws are changed to better align with the federal IDEA.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      96   0

Effective:   July 22, 2007
         September 1, 2009 (Section 9)