The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) serves as the State educational agency (SEA) for the District of Columbia. OSSE ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq (IDEA) for students with disabilities who receive special education and related services from local educational agencies (LEAs) and other public agencies in the District of Columbia.

In FFY 13, the District of Columbia's student population included 11,813 students with disabilities. (Data Source: OSSE FFY 2013 Child Count) In FFY 13, students in the District of Columbia were served by 61 LEAs, including the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and 60 public charter school LEAs. However, in the District of Columbia, public charter school LEAs may elect to have DCPS serve as the LEA for the purposes of IDEA, in which case DCPS becomes responsible for ensuring compliance. (DC Official Code § 38-1802.10(c)) In FFY 2013, 15 public charter school LEAs made this election. Therefore, 46 LEAs are referenced when examining IDEA-related compliance and results indicators.