U.S. Department of Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)Website which brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and grantees.
Access for AllCreated by the Office of Digital Learning at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, this web page offers guidance and resources for Massachusetts schools and families in providing assistive technology and accessible instructional materials to students with disabilities.
Guidance for Parent Advisory CouncilsThis guidance document was designed to ensure that every special education parent advisory council operating in the state understands the capacity and potential that they have to collaborate with the school community to influence special education programs and policies in their district.
A Parent's Guide to Special EducationWritten collaboratively by the Federation for Children with Special Needs and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, "A Parent's Guide to Special Education" was developed to serve as a resource for parents and the organizations that serve them.
Notice of Procedural Safeguards (Parent's Rights Brochure)English and Translated VersionsThe Parent's Rights Brochure is designed to assist the parent in understanding the special education process, and the rights of the parent's when their child has been referred for or is receiving special education services.
Disability Definitions and Related LinksDefinitions of each of the Massachusetts disability categories, and resources for each disability.
Best Practices in Early Childhood TransitionWritten collaboratively by the Department of Early Education and Care, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, "Best Practices in Early Childhood Transition" was developed to serve as a guide for families as their children transition from Early Intervention Services into a preschool program.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)This website provides information about the differences in these two pieces of legislations and the rights and protections of students with disabilities.
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and ResponsibilitiesThe Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education is providing the information in this pamphlet to explain the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools.
Problem Resolution SystemThe Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may be contacted regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act concerning rights of covered students, ages 3–22, through its complaint management programs administered by the Problem Resolution System Office.
Arc MassachusettsArc Massachusetts is a statewide volunteer educational and advocacy organization dedicated to helping individuals with specific developmental disabilities.
Family TIESFamily TIES of Massachusetts is a statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness.
Federation for Children with Specials NeedsThe Federation is a center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.
Massachusetts Association of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (MASSPAC)The mission of MassPac is to work towards the understanding of, respect for, support and appropriate education for all children with special needs in our respective communities.
Autism CommissionIn August 2014, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established the Autism Commission as a permanent entity it is comprised of 35 members. The Commission is charged with making recommendations on policies impacting individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome.
Massachusetts Public, Charter, Private, Collaborative, and Approved Private Special Education SchoolsDirectory and Profiles
Office of Public School Monitoring Family resourcesPublic School Monitoring (PSM) is an office within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE); ensures state and federal laws and regulations for special education and civil rights are being followed.
Strengthening Partnership:A Framework for Prenatal through Young Adulthood Family Engagement in Massachusetts
The Parent Professional Advocacy League (PAL)PAL is the statewide chapter of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. PAL provides support, education, and advocacy around issues related to children's mental health.
New England INDEXNew England INDEX, a project of the UMass Medical School located at the Shriver Center, provides information about programs and agencies, physicians, dentists, and consultants that serve people with disabilities. INDEX also coordinates the Mass Network of Information Providers (MNIP), a multi-agency collaboration that provides telephone information and referral at over 50 sites across the state (800-642-0249).
ECTA Center: For FamiliesECTA Center: For Families: provides resources to help you help your child develop and learn, explains how early childhood supports and services can help your child, and gives you ways to share your family's experiences to benefit others.
IDEA Resource CenterIDEA Resource Centers: provides information and technical assistance to families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Last Updated: March 15, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.