Sharon SEPAC
What is Special Education?
Special education is a range of services provided in different ways and different settings, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a student with (dis)abilities.
Services and supports one child receives may be different from what another child receives. It’s all about individualization.
Special education may provide students with accommodations, specialized instruction and/or related services that they require to make effective progress in school.
In Massachusetts, the special education system is based on the federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), in combination with the state's special education law (MGL c. 71B). These laws protect students with disabilities who are eligible for special education and guarantee them an Individualized Education Program (IEP) designed to meet their unique needs.
To Read More about What Special Education is, click the following link: What Is Special Education
Who qualifies for Special Education under IDEA?
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that defines and regulates special education. The law requires public schools to provide special education services to children ages 3 to 21 who meet certain criteria. (Children younger than 3 can get help through IDEA’s early intervention services).
Students determined eligible for special education services must meet all three of the following criteria:
1) The student has a documented (dis)ability* that is covered by IDEA
2) The student is not making effective progress
3) The student requires specifically designed instruction, or related services, to make effective progress
* Disabilities covered by IDEA
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Autism
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Developmental Delay
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Intellectual Impairment
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Sensory Impairment – including:
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Hearing Impairment or Deaf
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Vision Impairment or Blind
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Deafblind
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Neurological Impairment
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Emotional Impairment
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Communication Impairment
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Physical Impairment
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Health Impairment
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Specific Learning Disability
For state definition, please check out State definitions