Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a Local Education Agency (LEA)1 is eligible for fiscal assistance under Part B of the Act for a fiscal year if the agency submits a plan that provides assurances to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) that the LEA meets each of the conditions in 34 C.F.R. § 300.201 through 34 C.F.R. § 300.213. 34 C.F.R. §300.200.
The LEA, in providing for the education of children with disabilities within its jurisdiction, must also have in effect policies, procedures, and programs that are consistent with the state policies and procedures established under §300.101 through 300.163, and §300.165 through 300.174.2 Therefore, every LEA must submit a new Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications (Individual District/School or Consortium ) to the Department annually. Only districts that submit their IDEA Application for funding as part of a consortium should use the "Consortium" form.
The Department strives to better align the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications to the conditions in 34 C.F.R. § 300.201 through 34 C.F.R. § 300.213. 34 C.F.R. §300.200. Therefore, the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications may look different each year so all required signatories should read each of the conditions thoroughly each year. Every LEA is required to maintain documentation to demonstrate IDEA Part B compliance at the local level and be prepared to furnish such documentation as part of regular monitoring or as otherwise requested by the Department.
If an LEA's local policies or procedures differ from the requirements detailed in the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications, the LEA must notify and provide the Department with the specific condition and submit the local procedures for review and approval. Local procedures that reinterpret the law to allow alternative activities must be submitted to the Department for review and approval prior to implementation. It is the Department's expectation these circumstances are exceptional where each of the elements in the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications is required by law.
The Superintendent of Schools/School Leader, Special Education Administrator, School Business Official, and School Committee/Executive Board play critical roles in the education of students with disabilities. Therefore, the Superintendent/School Leader, Special Education Administrator, School Business Official, and School Committee/Board of Trustee Chairperson are required to complete and endorse the Certification Section at the end of the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications. These signatures indicate the requirements were read and understood by all parties and a plan is in place to address the required individual and collective responsibilities that are conditions for IDEA Part B (Fund Code 0240 and FC 0262) funding. The Department requires s annual training for all building principals/administrators to ensure compliance and identify the roles and responsibilities of building administrators as it relates to IDEA Part B as well as 603 CMR 28.03(3).
The completed Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications must be uploaded into the Grants for Education Management System (GEM$) as a condition of FY26 Consolidated FC 240/262 Application approval. Prior to submission, please verify the required information is completed, including the LEA's contact information, and that all signatures are in place. Signatures cannot be typed in. A scanned handwritten signature or a signature drawn digitally on a tablet/computer is acceptable.
The date on which the Superintendent/School Leader provided or will provide the annual training for building principals/administrators must also be included in the certification. The submission and subsequent approval of the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications are required for initial and continued receipt of all IDEA Part B (Fund Code 0240 and Fund Code 0262) entitlement funds.
Only fully completed Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications will be approved and failure to submit the fully completed Conditions and any additional required documentation may jeopardize the timely release of your LEA's IDEA Part B funds. More information and resources can be found on the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications webpage.
For questions regarding the Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications or their submission, please contact the Special Education planning and Policy unit via email at specialeducation@doe.mass.edu .
1 Local Educational Agency (LEA) includes all public school districts, and charter, vocational technical, and virtual schools.
2 As required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 34 C.F.R. § 300.200 and 34 C.F.R. § 300.201
Last Updated: May 19, 2025