Special Education Terms in Alaska
What special education terms does Alaska use?
Alaska uses standard federal IDEA terminology in most contexts, with a few notable distinctions. The state education agency is the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), not a 'Department of Education.' Local education agencies (LEAs) are referred to as school districts or local education agencies. Alaska uses the term 'intellectual disability' consistent with federal law (Rosa's Law). The state uses 'emotional disturbance' for the federal category (not 'emotional behavioral disorder' as some states use). IEP team members include an LEA representative, general education teacher, special education teacher, parent, the student (when appropriate), related service providers as needed, and evaluation specialists. The IEP coordinator or case manager is the special education teacher or specialist responsible for overseeing IEP implementation and serving as the primary parent contact. Alaska Native students may encounter the term 'culturally responsive IEP' in DEED guidance. 'Child Find' refers to Alaska's obligation under AS § 14.30.183 to identify and evaluate all students who may have disabilities, including those in remote villages. 'Hub school' or 'hub community' refers to regional population centers from which itinerant specialists travel to serve surrounding villages.
What Alaska Requires
DEED (Department of Education and Early Development) is Alaska's State Education Agency (SEA) for special education oversight.
Alaska uses 'intellectual disability' (not 'mental retardation') consistent with federal Rosa's Law amendments.
Alaska uses 'emotional disturbance' as the disability category term, consistent with 34 CFR 300.8(c)(4).
IEP case manager or IEP coordinator: the special education professional responsible for coordinating service delivery and serving as the primary parent contact.
Child Find: Alaska's state-specific obligation under AS § 14.30.183 to identify all children with disabilities, including in remote Alaska Native communities.
Hub community/hub school: regional centers from which itinerant special education staff travel to serve surrounding rural and remote villages — an Alaska-specific service delivery concept.
DEED provides an annual 'Procedural Safeguards Notice' in multiple languages given Alaska's diverse population.