Department of Elementary and Seconday Education (DESE) - Problem Resolution System
Parents, students, teachers, community members, and others can contact the DESE Problem Resolution System (PRS) Office if they are concerned that a child is not receiving the educational services that they are supposed to receive. The PRS website has more detailed information about how to file a complaint and what happens after they receive a complaint. The PSR contact information is:
Program Quality Assurance Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Telephone: 781-338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay: 1-800-439-2370
FAX: 781-338-3710
Email: compliance@doe.mass.edu
Additional Resources
Department of Elementary and Special Education (DESE) - Special Education Information for Parents
DESE maintains a website that has information and resources for parents and caregiver who have a child with special needs. Examples of these resources include:
- A Parent's Guide to Special Education
- Information about special education laws
- How to find a special education advocate
- Information about parents' rights
- Local, state, and national organizations for children with special needs.
Additional Resources
Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC)
MAC provides help for children who are facing problems receiving educational services. Through their Helpline, MAC can give advice about how to solve the issue and give referrals for further advocacy or services. In in some instances, an attorney from MAC can provide legal help for the child.
Anyone can call the MAC Helpline or can fill out a request for help on their website. However, MAC primarily works on behalf of children with disabilities, homeless children, children who have been expelled or suspended from school, and children who are victims of or have witnessed domestic violence.
MAC Helpline - 617-357-8431 ex. 224
Additional Resources
Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
FCSN provides information and support to parents of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. FCSN has a call center where parents and others can ask questions about special education and refer families to other helpful resources. Parents and others can contact the Call Center via phone or through their online intake form.
FCSN's Special Education Parent Center provides trainings and workshops for parents to teach them about the special education process and other important topics, like parents' rights and helping youth transition to adulthood.
FCSN Call Center: 617-236-7210 (413-323-0681 for Western MA)
Additional Resources
Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPaN)
SPaN maintains a directory of special education advocates and consultants that are available to help families and schools with special education issues. The directory is available on their website, but parents can also call for more information about special education advocates and how an advocate can help their child.
SPaN: 508-655-7999