The Special Education Unit is part of the Office of Student Learning and Partnerships, the designated State Education Agency responsible for all programs and services to children with disabilities in Oregon 5-21. This includes basic mandates under federal law:

• Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• Least Restrictive Environment
• Appropriate Evaluation
• Individualized Education Program- Accountability
• Parent and Student Participation in Decision-Making
• Procedural Safeguards
• Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Enforcement

We are responsible for providing general supervision statewide to ensure that the above mandates are implemented in all agencies responsible for providing a Free, Appropropriate Public Education (FAPE). This is accomplished through these functions:

• State administration, technical assistance and leadership services
• IDEA grant management
• General supervision of the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004)
• State Improvement Grant Management
• Complaint management system
• Federally required data collection and reporting

The site provides links to many special education offices and services for families with special education needs.