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Resources for Navigating a Child's Education

To help you support your child, we developed simple handouts on common topics relating to school and education. At the bottom of each handout, we list additional resources that you can check out if you would like to learn more.

What are my signing rights and responsibilities as a foster parent?

What is the best interest determination (BID) process?

  • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of Massachusetts provides a helpful worksheet for foster parents to guide them through the BID process.  

What is the difference between an IEP and 504?

  • Court appointed special advocates (CASA) compiled a comprehensive guide for foster parents to help them navigate the special education process. 

How do I initiate special education testing? Text || Flow Chart

How do I prepare for a team meeting?

  • This document lists useful questions to ask during an IEP meeting (Chelsea Walz, M.Ed)

Guidance on special education conflicts

This document provides information on the conflicts listed below:
(1) a child is determined not eligible at an IEP eligibility meeting
(2) there is disagreement over the proposed services and educational placement
(3) services written into the IEP are not being provided to the child