Special Education Law

The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) and the updating of the Kansas State Department of Education Administrative Regulations in 2008 continues Kansas's commitment to ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), will be included in the general education curriculum and will demonstrate improved educational outcomes.

The Kansas Special Education for Exceptional Children Act expands federal law and regulations to include children who are identified as gifted and provides an opportunity for children enrolled in private schools by their parents to receive FAPE.  The Kansas State Department of Education is required to provide information regarding any rules, regulations and policies not required by IDEA 2004 or Federal Regulations.

• Dispute Resolution (Mediation, Formal Complaint, Due Process)
• Kansas Special Education Process Handbook
• Notices and Forms (including Parents Rights (Procedural Safeguards))
• Statutes and Regulations - Federal and State
• Resources for Families and Educators

Guide to Special Education and other Legal Information

The resources on this page help parents and other decision‑makers understand the special education process and their rights. They explain how special education provides supportive services that help students succeed in general education and support families in working with schools to make informed educational decisions.

Parent Guide to Special Education

The intended purpose of the guide is to provide special education information in an easy to understand manner.  The primary audience of this guide is parents, education advocates, self-advocates, and other legal decision-makers of students with exceptionalities.  Parents share the responsibility for developing educational plans for their students with local education agencies (LEAs).  This active role requires parents to have information about the special education process and requirements.

This guide has been written to help parents and other educational decision-makers understand the special education process.  Special education is not a place to which one or a group of students in a school goes; it is supportive services that are given to some students so that they may progress in and be a part of the general education curriculum. All students are general education students and all students benefit from parents being involved in their education, not just the special education part of it.

• Parent Guide to Special Education (PDF)

Kansas Special Education Process Handbook

The Kansas Special Education Process Handbook was developed to provide guidance, resources and supports necessary for those professionals who work to improve results for exceptional children. The Handbook attempts to clarify and define legal requirements of the law and regulations. Each chapter includes a brief overview specifying requirements that are particular to Kansas. In addition, each chapter includes links to valuable resources, sample forms and references. Users of the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook are encouraged to update any future documents which provide clarification to the law and regulations by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) or the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

For more information, visit the  Kansas Special Education Process Handbook webpage.

Notice of Procedural Safeguards (Parent Rights)

The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), in 2004, retained important procedures which schools must use when evaluating eligibility for special education services, when developing or changing a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or when attempting to resolve serious disputes regarding special education issues. These procedures are sometimes referred to as "procedural safeguards" or "parent rights." The procedural safeguards specified in the IDEA were primarily designed to help schools and parents work together to develop effective educational programs for children with disabilities.

Parents Rights Document (Notices/Forms)

Kansas Parent Information and Resource Centers 

Parents may contact KSDE for technical assistance. However, there are other resources available to them in Kansas. The following is a list of resources available to them in Kansas.  

Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC) is an advocate for the civil and legal rights of Kansans with disabilities. DRC also educates policymakers on needed improvements to the law, programs and public policy. For more information, visit the  Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC) website. [external website] 

The Mission of Infinitec is to advance independence and promote inclusive opportunities for children and adults with disabilities through technology. The Infinitec staff helps people with disabilities find and get access to information, technology services, training, assistive equipment and specialists by creating partnerships that maximize resources. For more information, visit the  Infinitec website. [external website]

Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) promotes meaningful parent involvement at all levels of education and provides information and resources to help parents, educators and other organizations promote the educational success of every Kansas child. For more information, visit  KPIRC website. [external website]

Special Olympics Kansas is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions, health and nutrition programs and leadership development. Offering year-round initiatives to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics Kansas is a platform for acceptance and inclusion as well as one of the largest advocates for healthy lifestyles in the state – regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. For more information, visit the  Special Olympics Kansas website. [external website]