On January 16, 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) . This letter summarized findings from OSEP's monitoring visit conducted in February and March 2024, which reviewed portions of DESE's general supervision system under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B.
The letter from OSEP identified specific areas where DESE was not in compliance with certain IDEA Part B requirements and outlined corrective actions that DESE must take. At the same time, OSEP recognized "the State's continued efforts to improve the implementation of IDEA Part B and the development and implementation of a reasonably designed general supervision system which ensures compliance and improving results for students with disabilities."
As part of the Department's commitment to continuous improvement, the Department is distributing a survey to gather public input in three areas: 1) proposed changes to the Department's Notice of Procedural Safeguards; 2) revised state complaint procedures; and 3) additional comments regarding the Department's required corrective actions.
Please use the Participation Survey to share your input on the proposed changes. The public participation period will be open from April 28, 2025 through May 9, 2025. Spanish version of the survey coming soon!
Additionally, the Department will be holding a virtual special meeting of the Special Education Advisory Panel and Special Education Advisory Council on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 1:00. If you wish to attend the meeting and/or wish to speak as part of the public participation portion of the meeting, please email specialeducation@doe.mass.edu by 5:00 on May 6, 2025. A 30-minute period will be held for public participation. Members of the public may speak for up to two minutes.
As always, inquiries related to special education can be sent to the Special Education Planning and Policy (SEPP) Office at specialeducation@doe.mass.edu .
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting improved outcomes for students with disabilities in Massachusetts.