EdLaw > Resources



Federal Laws

IDEA 2004

Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2009

Goss v. Lopez Supreme Court case establishing due process rights for students in disciplinary proceedings

McKinney Vento Act (full text)

on McKinney Vento

Office of Civil Rights

Massachusetts Laws and Regulations

Massachusetts Special Education Regulations

Suspension and Expulsion: M.G.L. ch. 71, Sec. 37H

Permanent Exclusion: M.G.L. ch 76, Sec. 17

Student exclusion for felony complaint or conviction/adjudication: M.G.L. ch 71, Sec 37H.5

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

General Information

Program Quality Assurance: Program Quality Assurance Services (PQA) implements the Department's compliance monitoring and complaint management procedures for school districts, charter schools, educational collaborative, and approved public and private day and residential special education schools and provides technical assistance to school personnel and the public regarding the implementation of laws and regulations.

Bureau of Special Education Appeals The Bureau of Special Education Appeals ("BSEA") conducts mediations, advisory opinions and hearings to resolve disputes among parents, school districts, private schools and state agencies concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEPs), special education services and procedural protections for students with disabilities.

BSEA Hearing Rules

Boston Public Schools

Boston Public Schools Code of Discipline

Boston Public Schools Staff Directory

Boston Public Schools Registration Process

Additional Resources

Wrightslaw: a great resource for special education law, advocacy tips and research

Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts: CLCM has a number of helpful publications for parents and advocates.