Washington will offer special education to students longer under new law
A new law triggered by a lawsuit will ensure public school students in Washington are offered special education instruction until they are 22 years old.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation this week to extend the length of a student’s eligibility to the end of the school year in which they turn 22 or graduate high school, whichever comes sooner. The current age limit is 21.
“As the son of a longtime special education teacher, I understand how important it is,” Ferguson said before putting his signature on Senate Bill 5253.
The bill responds to a federal court ruling in 2024 that found Washington in violation of a federal law concerning how long states must provide “free appropriate public education” to students.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/15/washington-will-offer-special-education-to-students-longer-under-new-law/