The Purpose of Special Education:  “Ensure that all students with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living” (IDEA, 2004).

Washington County School District (WCSD), in accordance with Utah State Board of Education Special Education Rules (2023), offers a continuum of special education services designed to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for your child with a disability. Our department values that students with disabilities have access to and progress in the general core curriculum within a safe learning environment.  Decisions regarding services and placement should occur within the framework of a child’s individualized educational program (IEP) team.

We strive to work Cooperatively with special needs students, families, communities, colleagues, and other professionals in order to promote each student’s success and well-being as they prepare for future endeavors.  We facilitate the use of evidence-based practices to provide students the access, skills, knowledge, independence, and opportunity to reach their potential and participate successfully in the least restrictive environment possible.  We are committed to identifying and meeting the diverse needs of each student in Washington County, through individualized educational programming and transition services.

Student File Retention and Destruction:   As required by Federal Regulations (see below), WCSD maintains student records for three years and then archives part of the file. The originals are destroyed if not requested from the school district.  Records Retention Requirements:   As required by Federal regulations, all records related to Federal grant funds and compliance shall be retained by the USOE and the LEA for three years (or longer if under an audit exception) after completion of the activity for which they used the funds (2 CFR 11 215.53).