About the ESA

The ESD 112 Specialized Education ESA is unique in Washington State. This ESA provides a free and appropriate education to students that are eligible for special education services in 33 districts that have joined together to pool resources (i.e., staff, equipment, expertise, materials, etc.). The ESA serves districts’ children with disabilities and their families effectively and economically.

History

The cooperative began furnishing itinerant services in 1972. With the addition of classroom services in 1984, ESD 112 became a direct service district for participating resident districts in Southwest Washington and extending the cooperative’s benefits to include:

• More flexible, effective and efficient use of staff and other resources
• All member districts, regardless of size or rural location, have equal access to all services
• It’s a guarantee – all children receive services
• No single member takes the full cost of an expensive placement since all costs are shared
• Members receive administrative service without the addition of extra duties to a principal or hiring a special education administrator
• Legal and technical expertise available to members at any time

In 2003, the ESA began offering services outside of the Southwest Washington area.

Leadership

The ESA is governed by an elected chair and representative five-member executive advisory committee comprised of participating districts’ superintendents. Although districts agree to pool their fiscal resources and share in staff, materials and resources, all members receive services based on needs, not a pro rata portion of their contributions.

ESA Services

In addition to hiring and managing qualified staff, the ESA budgets and expends resources for eligible students in school districts participating as ESA members. The ESA provides special education and related services in a manner that is consistent with school district and building goals and provides focused knowledge and expertise in research-based, best practices in special education.

The ESA strives to ensure appropriate special education for all children with disabilities in all member districts. A continuum of services gives parents in our rural schools a full range of options from home services to out-of-district placements, if and when needed.

What the ESA does:

• Provides special education services consistent with building and/or district goals
• Hiring and supervising special education staff
• Identifying eligible students
• Budgeting and expending resources for schools in participating districts
• More flexible, effective and efficient use of staff and other resources
• All member districts, regardless of size or rural location, have equal access to all services
• It’s a guarantee – all children receive services
• No single member takes the full cost of an expensive placement since all costs are shared
• Members receive administrative service without the addition of extra duties to a principal or hiring a special education administrator
• Legal and technical expertise available to members at any time