Massachusetts laws
MGL c.71B Children with special needs. See also amended sections:
- c.71B, § 2 Regulations; special education programs; pre-school level admission to programs; assignment of child, effective July 1, 2022
- c.71B, § 17 Inclusive concurrent enrollment, effective July 1, 2022
Massachusetts regulations
603 CMR 28 Special education regulations
Massachusetts state agency opinions
Bureau of Special Education Appeals
Includes information on the process as well as decisions and rulings from 1998 to date
Federal laws
20 U.S.C. §§ 1400-1482: Individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA)
29 U.S.C. § 794 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Federal regulations
34 CFR Part 300: Assistance to states for the education of children with disabilities
45 CFR 84: Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance
Selected case law
Champa v. Weston Public Schools, 473 Mass. 86 (2015).
A "settlement agreement, regarding a public school's placement of a student who required special education services in an out-of-district private educational institution, between the public school and the parents of the student was exempt from the definition of “public records” ... and therefore not subject to disclosure... without a redaction of personally identifiable information..."
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, ___ U.S. ___, 137 S.Ct. 988 (2017).
"If that is not a reasonable prospect for a child, his IEP need not aim for grade-level advancement. But his educational program must be appropriately ambitious in light of his circumstances, just as advancement from grade to grade is appropriately ambitious for most children in the regular classroom. The goals may differ, but every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives."
Forest Grove School District v. T. A., 557 US 230 (2009)
"IDEA authorizes reimbursement for private special-education services when a public school fails to provide a FAPE and the private-school placement is appropriate, regardless of whether the child previously received special-education services through the public school."
Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools, ___U.S.___, 137 S.Ct. 743 (2017).
Students with disabilities may have protections under Section 504 as well as the IDEA. If a claim is filed under Section 504 and not tied to a denial of a free appropriate public education (FAPE), exhaustion of remedies under the IDEA is not required.
Schaffer v. Weast, 546 US 49 (2005)
Attorneys for parents had argued that where a parent was dissatisfied with an IEP, the school district should bear the burden of proving an IEP sufficient, rather than the parents having to prove that it is insufficient. But the U.S. Supreme Court held that "the burden of persuasion in an administrative hearing challenging an IEP is properly placed upon the party seeking relief, whether that is the disabled child or the school district."
Web sources
Addressing the needs of students with disabilities in the IEP and in school bullying prevention and intervention efforts, Mass. Department of Education.
Mass. approved private special education schools, Mass. Department of Education
MCAS alternate assessment, Mass. Department of Education
Provides links to requirements for participation, resource guide and more
Parents' how-to guide on children's mental health services in Massachusetts, 3d ed., 2011, Boston Bar Association
Includes steps for getting help, paying for services, services in your child's school, and more
Pro se guide: so you will be going to a special education hearing without a lawyer, Bureau of Special Education Appeals, August 2012
Includes: Beginning the Hearing Process; How to File For a Hearing; What Happens Next; The Hearing; Expectations; and Definitions of Legal Terms and Special Education Jargon
Protections for students with disabilities who are being disciplined by school officials, Children's Law Center, June 2019
Explains the unique legal requirements for disciplining special needs students.
Special education, Mass. Department of Education
Includes information on IEP's, the law, resources for parents, and much more.
Special education in Massachusetts, Children's Law Center
Nice, clear guide to the special education process in Massachusetts from identification to assessment, IEP's and more.
Transition services for students and youth, Mass. Rehabilitation Commission
MRC has many services to help high school students in special education programs prepare for work, get a job, gain leadership skills, and live on their own. Pre-employment transition services can start at age 14 and are available until a youth graduates high school or turns 22. Explains who is eligible and how the process works.
Print sources
The complete IEP guide : how to advocate for your special ed child by Lawrence M. Siegel, Nolo, 2020.
Fundamentals of special education, Suffolk University Law School, Center for Advanced Legal Studies, 2014.
IEP and 504 plan legal workshop, NBI, 2020
Nolo's IEP guide : learning disabilities by Lawrence M. Siegel, Nolo, 2020.
Special education law in Massachusetts, 8th ed., MCLE, 2020
Special education law from A to Z, NBI, 2018
Working with children with special needs, MCLE, 2015
Contact
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| Last updated: | April 15, 2022 |
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