The East Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative has been in operation for over 30 years. The Cooperative is located in Paola, Kansas. The purpose of the Cooperative is to provide a full range of services to students with special education needs.

Eight school districts in Miami, Linn, Franklin and Anderson Counties participate in the special education services. Those districts are:

• USD 288 Central Heights
• USD 344 Pleasanton
• USD 346 Jayhawk
• USD 362 Prairie View
• USD 365 Garnett
• USD 367 Osawatomie
• USD 368 Paola
• USD 416 Louisburg

Approximately 1400 students with identified special needs are served by the Cooperative. Students who receive services range in age from 3 to 21 years of age.