Special Education & Special Services

The ESD 113 Special Education Cooperative serves small and rural school districts, connecting communities to specialized services they need. We support students by pooling resources and expertise across district lines.

Our cooperative model creates cost-effective solutions that bring specialized staff and services directly to local schools. Programs are developed based on the needs of our school districts, ensuring each community receives targeted support. Through shared staffing and coordinated programming, districts access services like audiology, child find screenings, and specialized therapy support that might otherwise remain out of reach.

This collaborative approach strengthens student outcomes while reducing costs for participating districts. Schools gain access to qualified specialists, families receive coordinated services, and communities build networks of support that extend beyond individual district boundaries.

Districts outside the cooperative can contract directly with ESD 113 to secure essential and in-person special education staff, including school psychologists, SLPs, OTs, PTs, braillists, educational audiologists, and special education directors. This flexible staffing model connects schools with qualified professionals who meet specific student needs and district requirements.

Our specialized staff work within district teams, providing consistent support while maintaining local relationships. Schools may access qualified service providers and other special education staffing through customized contracts that fit their budget and timeline.

This direct contracting approach gives districts control over staffing decisions while ensuring students receive expert care. Districts benefit from our recruitment expertise, professional development support, and ongoing staff supervision. Schools maintain continuity of services, and students experience smooth transitions between staff and programs.

The staffing service model creates immediate solutions for districts facing personnel shortages or seeking specialized expertise. Schools can respond quickly to student needs, families gain confidence in consistent service delivery, and districts avoid lengthy recruitment processes.

Nearly 15 percent of school-age children have hearing loss. ESD 113 helps school districts find and support students with hearing loss. 

Washington state law says schools must screen students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 each year. Your trained staff do the first screening to check the student's hearing. If the student doesn't pass, test again within six weeks. If the student fails both tests, refer them for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.

We train your staff to do hearing tests right and conduct screenings when you need extra help. We work with medical providers to make referrals smooth and check classroom needs for students with hearing loss. We also suggest tools like hearing aids and other devices, train staff on hearing tools, give resources to families and school teams, and help IEP and 504 teams make good choices.

Request Audiology Services / Make referral

Our Special Programs and Services team provides guidance, consultation, compliance, and professional development services for school district administrators and staff. We advocate for inclusionary practices that bring all students together in meaningful learning experiences.

Expedition Behavioral Education helps students grow through structured programs, skilled staff, and strong partnerships with families and schools. Our mission is to teach students with social, emotional, or behavioral challenges the skills necessary to achieve greater success in their home schools and communities. Expedition includes Olympic and Summit Academies, and Pathfinder Services.