North Kitsap special education program shake-up prompts complaints to the state

May 8, 2026 - 11:20

Katelyn Small's 6-year-old daughter, Tessa, finds joy in the little moments. But for Small, those moments have been overshadowed by a recent overhaul of special education services in the North Kitsap School District. The changes, which took effect this fall, have prompted a wave of complaints to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Parents say the district abruptly restructured its special education program, moving students from smaller, specialized classrooms into larger, general education settings with less support. For Tessa, who has significant developmental delays, the shift meant losing her one-on-one aide and being placed in a class where teachers struggled to meet her needs. "She went from thriving to regressing in a matter of weeks," Small said. "She started having meltdowns at home, and she was refusing to go to school."

The district defends the changes as part of a broader effort to promote inclusion and align with state and federal mandates. Officials say they are working to ensure all students have access to the general education curriculum. But critics argue the transition was rushed and poorly communicated. Several families have filed formal grievances with the state, alleging violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

One parent, who asked not to be named, described a meeting where administrators told her that her child's specialized program was being phased out. "They said it was about equity," she said. "But equity doesn't mean taking away the services a child needs to learn."

The state has confirmed it is reviewing the complaints. Meanwhile, families like Small's are left navigating a system they feel has abandoned them. "I just want my daughter to have a chance," Small said. "She deserves that."