Special Education for Families
2026 Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
All families of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education's annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey by December 11, 2026. If you have questions concerning this survey, please contact Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via telephone at (804) 418-4672 or via email at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov.
- Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
- Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey - English
- Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey - Spanish
- Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Amharic
- Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Arabic
- Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Urdu
- Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Vietnamese
- Special Education Parent Involvement Flyer for print/social media use
Understanding Special Education
The Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education
The Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education Page provides information and resources related to this state guide that was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to help those involved in special education, whether as families, teachers or school administrators, advocates, or students.
Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities
The Critical Decision Points page provides information to assist parents with understanding not only what decisions will need to be made, but also when those decisions need to start being considered.
The New Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) Assessment
At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, the portfolio-based Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) was replaced with a new multiple-choice assessment in the content areas of reading, mathematics, and science that will be administered to students in an online or paper format. The new VAAP is based on academic content standards derived from the Standards of Learning (SOL) in reading, mathematics, and science that have been reduced in depth, breadth, and complexity. The following resources have been developed in order to assist families with understanding the recent changes:
Applied Studies Diploma
The VDOE's new resource, Understanding the Applied Studies Diploma is here to assist families with understanding everything they need to know related to this specific diploma option. An accessible Word document version as well as an accessible Spanish Word document version, is also available.
Resolving Disputes
Parent Ombudsman
VDOE has an Ombudsman for Special Education who acts as a source of information and referral, aids in answering individuals' questions, and assists in the resolution of concerns and issues. School divisions, parents, and children benefit and build relationships when school divisions and parents work together to resolve problems. The Parent Ombudsman for Special Education serves to facilitate that process.
Ombudsman Contact Information
Parent Ombudsman
Toll Free: (800) 422-2083
SpecialEducationOmbudsman@doe.virginia.gov
PEATC Regional Family Support
PEATC is Virginia’s federally mandated Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). PEATC has staff in your region of the state, ready to provide free and confidential assistance to Virginia’s families of students receiving special education services. Read the Special Education Family Support Centers one-pager to learn more. Additional languages:
- Amharic: እንባ ጠባቂ ልዩ ትምህርት
- Arabic: مراكز دعم األسرة للتعليم الخاص
- Spanish: La Educación Especial en los Centros de Apoyo Familiar
- Urdu: خاندان کی معاونت کے لیے خصوصی تعلیم کے مراکز
- Vietnamese: Trung Tâm Hỗ Trợ Gia Đình về Giáo Dục Đặc Biệt
Resolution Resources
Parents are encouraged to resolve special education concerns at the local school division level. View the document provided below for additional resolution resources.
Family Engagement
Parent Information Email Updates
Subscribe or update your GovDelivery subscriber preferences to receive email updates from the Virginia Department of Education. For information designed specifically for parents, look for the heading News and Updates and check the box marked "Information for Parents and Families." You can also select other topics that you would like to receive. For more information or questions related to the GovDelivery system, please contact Tracy Lee, via email at Tracy.Lee@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 418-4761.
Virginia Family Special Education Connection
Virginia Family Special Education Connection provides comprehensive information on special education issues, practices and services to Virginia families who have children with disabilities. This resource was developed by VDOE, in collaboration with the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities at George Mason University.
Special Education Advisory Committee
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State Special Education Advisory Committee – The State Special Education Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Regular quarterly meetings include time for the committee to receive public comment.
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A Guide for Local Special Education Advisory Committees in Virginia – This resource provides basic information for local SEAC members and school division representatives regarding SEAC roles and functions.
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Local Special Education Advisory Committees - Every school division is required to have a SEAC as detailed in Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, effective January 25, 2010 (special education regulations).
Training Opportunities
- IEP University: August 3-August 24, 2026: IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. A certificate of completion for 6 hours will be provided for all who complete the training.
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Self-paced Training: August 3-August 24, 2026: This online self-paced training will help SEAC members and other interested participants understand the role of the local Special Education Advisory Committee in Virginia and to build a more efficient and effective advisory committee. A certificate of completion will be provided for all who complete the training. The training will include information on:
- SEAC in Virginia SPED Regulations
- SEAC Roles and Responsibilities
- Building Your Local SEAC
- Organization Tips for SEACs
- How to be an Effective Advisory Committee
- FOIA Requirements for Special Education Advisory Committees
- Building Strong Parent Advocates: August 3-August 24, 2026: The Building Strong Parent Advocates training provides information to help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child’s best advocate.
- Virtual Family Engagement Summit: August 22, 2026, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: This free online event connects parents, caregivers, educators, and community partners who share a common goal: helping students with disabilities thrive in school and in life. Participants will:
- Hear from inspiring speakers sharing practical tips and real-life experiences.
- Learn strategies for building stronger partnerships between families, schools, and communities.
- Explore resources and supports available to students with disabilities and their families.
- Engage in meaningful conversations.
- Virtual Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities: July 29, 2026, and August 5, 2026, 6-8 p.m.: This Two-Session Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities training is designed to assist families in understanding:
- Keys to your child's academic success.
- Decisions you may need to make regarding your child's educational path.
- Critical Decision Points and WHEN they should be made.
- Information needed to make well-informed decisions for your child.
Attendees will need to attend both sessions to complete the Critical Decision Points training. The ZOOM link providing access to both sessions will be sent to the email address provided during registration. A limited number of slots are available. They will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to FIRST TIME participants!
Ongoing Training Opportunities
- Back to Basics Special Education Law Modules – This professional development initiative is designed to support Virginia school division personnel by providing introductory information on special education compliance. These modules provide information that is valuable for the schools and families who support Virginia's students with disabilities.
Additional Resources Available to Help Support your Child
- Virginia's Tiered Systems of Support - The Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) is a data-informed decision-making framework for establishing the academic, behavioral and social-emotional supports needed for a school to be an effective learning environment for all students.
- Promoting Mental Wellness for Students with Disabilities in Cell Phone-Free Schools: Guidance and Resources offers resources for families available through the Virginia Department of Education to support the establishment of cell-phone free schools, providing guidance for addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities, including considerations for assistive technology and exemptions. This document was created by the Family Engagement Network (FEN), through a grant provided by the Virginia Department of Education and managed by the Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.
- Participation & Inclusion - includes guidelines for assessment participation and special test accommodations.
- Comprehensive Services Act for At Risk Youth and Families (CSA)
- Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
- Transition Across the Grade Span: From Pre-K to Post-Grad was created by the Family Engagement Network (FEN), through a grant provided by the Virginia Department of Education and managed by the Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. By addressing skills in four key areas of transition planning, this easy-to-use resource helps families plan for their child's future, from early childhood through adulthood.
- Understanding the Special Permission Locally Awarded Verified Credit (SPLAVC) Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
- Checklist for Kinship Caregivers and Checklist for Schools Working with Kinship Caregivers
Virtual Learning
- Supporting Students with Complex Learning Needs in Virtual and Remote Learning Environments - The purpose of this document is to help families identify ways they can work with educators to provide instruction and support to their children with complex learning needs.
- Tips for Successful Communication with Families during Online Learning - Online learning has become the new normal for many students across the nation which has presented challenges communicating with students and families. The following document was created by the Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE's) Family Engagement Network (FEN) in order to provide tips for educators who are communicating with families through online learning.
Special Education Regulations & Rights
- Guidance Document on the Implementation of the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, 2009
- Guidance Document for Implementing New Special Education Requirements for the Definition of Parent, May 2009
- Virginia Special Education Regulations
- Your Family's Special Education Rights – Virginia Procedural Safeguards Notice -Updated September 2024
- Guidance Document on Manifestation Determination (PDF) – Document currently under revision
- Extended School Year Services
- Early Childhood Transition from Part C Early Intervention to Part B Special Education and Other Services for Young Children with Disabilities
- Educational Interpreting Services
- Transfer of Children with Disabilities and Special Education Protections Briefing
- Guidance on Prior Written Notice in the Special Education Process
Military Family Information
The Virginia Department of Education’s Family Engagement Network (FEN) is a group of professionals from local school divisions, university training and technical assistance centers, state agencies, and other organizations whose purpose is to foster family involvement and engagement in education, especially for children with disabilities.
The FEN has created four new resources for military-connected families of students with disabilities. These three one-pager resources, as well as a video, all containing valuable information, are linked below.
- Military Families of Students Receiving Special Education Services: Things to Know When Moving to Virginia School Systems
- Military Families of Exceptional Family Members – Birth to 5 Years: Things to Know When Moving to Virginia
- Are You a Military Family Relocating to Virginia with a Child Who Has a Disability? Check Out These Helpful Hints and Resources
- Mental Wellness and Trauma-Informed Practices in Military Families (Video)
Additional Resources:
- Military Families
- Guidance for Military Families with Students in Special Education
- Transfer of Children with Disabilities and Special Education Protections Briefing
Private Schools
- Private Day & Residential Schools
- Licensed Private Schools for Students with Disabilities
- What to Expect: When Your Child is Placed in a Private Day School
Outside Resources
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA
- Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Center for Family Involvement
- The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
- Formed Families Forward
- The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Endrew F. Question and Answer Document
On March 22, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Re-1, 137 S.Ct. 988. In this decision, the court held that "to meet its substantive obligation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a school must offer [a child] an IEP [individualized education program] reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances."
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is pleased to announce its release of a Question and Answer (Q&A) document addressing the Endrew F. decision. OSERS is issuing this Q&A document to provide parents and other stakeholders information on the issues addressed in Endrew F. and the impact of the Court's decision on the implementation of IDEA. We hope that you find this Q&A document useful, and we look forward to receiving additional questions and comments related to the Q&A and the Endrew F. decision by email at EndrewF@ed.gov.