The Special Education division administers a range of programs for students with hearing and vision impairments, speech difficulties, and mental and physical disabilities. It offers health evaluation and assessment services. The division is managed by the Teaching and Learning department, which operates through assessment and evaluation, athletics and activities, career and technical education, instructional support services, student records, summer programs, and visual and performing arts divisions. The Teaching and Learning department is administered by North Thurston Public Schools, which was founded in 1953. North Thurston Public Schools enrolls more than 13,000 students each year and manages elementary, middle and high schools.