Guidance Documents 

This page brings together guidance documents and resources that support assessment, accessibility, and special education services for students with disabilities. It includes information on literacy assessments, accessibility supports, special education policies, related services, virtual learning, and disability category fact sheets. These resources are designed to help families, educators, and districts understand requirements, use evidence-based practices, and make informed decisions that support equitable access to instruction, assessment, and services for all students.

Assessment and Accessibility Resources

Administering Literacy Assessments for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities and Complex Communication Needs

This document provides guidance on accommodations and access features for district-wide literacy screenings, benchmark assessments, and diagnostic tools. It includes tables with recommended supports for commonly used literacy subtests and specific guidance for students with complex communication needs, along with additional tools and resources. 

Kansas Accessibility Manual

The Kansas Accessibility Manual outlines guidelines for selecting, administering, and evaluating accessibility supports for instruction and assessment. It applies to all students, including students with disabilities, English learners (ELs), ELs with disabilities, and students without identified disabilities. The manual introduces a three-tier framework—universal features, designated features, and accommodations—and includes a five-step decision-making process for using accessibility supports. For more information, visit the Kansas Accessibility Manual website. [external link]

Special Education Guidance and Policy

Kansas Special Education Process Handbook

This handbook was developed to provide guidance, resources and supports necessary for those professionals who work to improve results for exceptional children.  The information provided in the Kansas Special Education Process 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. For more information, visit the  Kansas Special Education Process Handbook page.

State of Kansas Memorandum: ABA Therapy in Districts

This memorandum clarifies how school districts should review requests for medically necessary Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It explains district responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.

Related Services and Program Support

 Kansas Guidelines for School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists

These guidelines were developed to support a focus on improved results for children with speech language disabilities, to assist school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and to ensure that SLPs have access to best practice information and resources. Further, this document is intended to be used in conjunction with the Kansas Special Education Services Process Handbook and your school district/cooperative guidelines. 

Virtual Learning and Disability Support

Frequently Asked Questions: Students with Disabilities and Virtual Schools and Programs

This resource provides answers to commonly asked questions about serving students with disabilities in virtual schools and online learning programs.

  • FAQ on Students with Disabilities and Virtual Schools and Programs (PDF)

Disability Category Fact Sheets

The fact sheets below summarize essential information and key points about evaluation for special education, the characteristics for each exceptionality, and the location to find more information and resources. 

For more information, please contact:

Brian Dempsey, Assistant Director
(785) 296-5522