Special Education

Special Services: Supporting Inclusive Student Success

The Special Services Department ensures that every student, regardless of ability, has access to high-quality, inclusive education. Our core function is to remove barriers, provide supports, and partner with families and staff so all students can grow, learn, and succeed.

We help students by aligning individualized supports with the general education curriculum, building inclusive classrooms through Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and fostering collaboration among general educators, specialists, paraeducators, and families. Our work emphasizes equity, high expectations, and continuous improvement, because every student is a general education student who deserves meaningful access and belonging.

How We Support Students and Families

Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Provide inclusive instructional practices and collaborative teaching models
Offer professional learning for staff on equity, UDL, and inclusive strategies
Facilitate student voice and engagement, including student-led IEPs
Partner with families through resources, professional development, and advisory groups
Use data-driven reflection to improve student outcomes

Together, we build schools where diversity is celebrated, collaboration is essential, and every learner thrives.

Dr. Matt Bennett

Senior Director, Special Education Matthew.Bennett@evergreenps.org

Child Find

Evergreen Public Schools conducts specific activities for the purposes of locating, evaluating and identifying students ages birth to twenty-one (21) with suspected disabilities and who reside within the district’s boundaries. This includes students attending private schools within the Evergreen Public Schools attendance area. If your family is living in an unhoused or temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are currently staying for a screening.

Free Developmental Screenings are available for children ages birth through five.

Children are screened in the areas of motor, concepts, speech and language by professionals. A hearing and vision screening may also be done. Developmental screening can identify children who are in need of further evaluation and/or participation in early intervention or early childhood services that address their areas of need.

For children ages birth through two years of age, please call Educational Services District 112 at 360-750-7500.

For children ages 3-5 years, please call Special Services at 360-604-6700

Special Education Services

Special education in Evergreen Public Schools is not a “place:” rather, it is a set of services provided for students with disabilities. Evergreen Public Schools collaborates with families to serve the individual needs of children. The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal legislation that helps guide school teams and families in the qualification of students and the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEP). Evergreen Public Schools provides a Continuum of Services to meet the needs of our diverse student population.