The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) has appointed an ombudsperson to facilitate communication with private schools, parents, and public school districts about the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements regarding students with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private schools. The ombudsperson will serve as the Department's primary point of contact for addressing questions and concerns from private school officials, parents, and school districts regarding the provision of equitable services to parentally-placed private school students with disabilities and the funding of those services through a proportionate share of federal IDEA grant funds.
The ombudsperson for IDEA private school issues is the same person who is designated to serve as the Department's ombudsman under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to monitor and ensure that other federal equitable services requirements are carried out under both Title I and Title VIII (comprising Titles II-A, III-A, and Title IV-A&B) of the law. With regard to IDEA requirements, the ombudsperson will work in partnership with other Department offices that have specific responsibilities for monitoring, auditing, resolving complaints, and implementing IDEA requirements. As necessary, the ombudsperson will refer questions and concerns to the appropriate Department office for response.
Additionally, the ombudsperson will be the designated recipient of the required documentation from school districts regarding timely and meaningful consultation in accordance with the IDEA's requirements. IDEA requires that, if private school representatives participating in timely and meaning consultation activities do not sign written affirmation of participation within a reasonable period of time, the district must forward documentation of the consultation process to the Department. See 34 CFR § 300.135(b).
Contact the IDEA Equitable Services Ombudsperson by mail at: IDEA Equitable Services Ombudsperson Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway Everett, MA 02149
or by email at IDEAequitableservices@doe.mass.edu.
Last Updated: June 8, 2018
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
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.