Special Education in DoD & OCONUS Communities

Military families navigating special education often experience changes in educational systems, services, and supports as they move between stateside and overseas duty stations. For children with IEPs, 504 Plans, developmental needs, or other educational supports, understanding how services may differ across locations is an important part of educational and PCS planning.

Special education services for DoD-connected families may be provided through local public school districts within the United States, Department of Defense Education Activity / DoWEA schools overseas, Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS), early intervention programs, and other support systems depending on the child’s age, eligibility, assignment location, and educational setting. Because service models, evaluation timelines, staffing, and program availability are not identical across states or OCONUS installations, families may encounter differences in how supports are identified and delivered throughout their military journey.

This section focuses on helping families better understand special education within DoD-connected and OCONUS communities, including information related to educational supports, transitions, PCS planning, IEP and 504 considerations, and available resources to support informed educational decision-making across a variety of school settings.