The Office of Special Education Programs is a federal program dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. OSEP accomplishes this mission by developing, communicating, and disseminating federal policy and information on early intervention; administering formula grants and discretionary programs authorized by Congress; fostering and supporting research and the development of knowledge and innovations to improve results; promoting and supporting the training of educational, related services, and leadership personnel, and parents and volunteers; and by evaluating, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of federal policy and programs and the effectiveness of early intervention and educational efforts.

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is that section of the U. S. Department of Education that is responsible for the implementation of the IDEA. It carries out activities related to state eligibility for IDEA funds and monitoring state compliance with IDEA requirements.

An office of the U.S. Department of Education whose goal is to improve results for children with disabilities (ages birth through 21) by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.