DETAILS

Position Paper on Paperwork

The Washington State Special Education Coalition is deeply concerned at the increase in paperwork required at the local district level. Both parents and teachers of special education students feel that the State Forms, developed by OSPI can provide the needed protections of individual students rights, and at the same time provide for appropriate accountability.

Currently, there is no consistency from district to district, which causes unnecessary confusion for families who move, as well as for staff who work in different districts. Unnecessary paperwork also has a negative impact on the recruitment and retention of qualified and caring special education staff. More paperwork, does not necessarily equate to more appropriate or accountable IEP's (Individual Education Plan's).

The Washington State Special Education Coalition believes that the recent survey done by the National Council for Exceptional Children, further demonstrates this conclusion. This survey found that local school districts around the nation use from one to seventy (70) pages for an IEP - with the average being eleven (11).

In Washington State, excellent forms have been developed which are available to local districts to use. These forms are currently being updated to meet the current IDEA requirements, and WAC's.

The WSSEC requests that all districts in Washington State be required to use the State Forms, developed by OSPI.