Advocacy is needed.
Several special education reform bills have been filed with the Massachusetts Legislature that address, among other issues, costs to the school districts. Currently, school districts in the State bear a disproportionate share of special education costs. School districts in Massachusetts fund 75 percent of State special education costs, while the national average for local district contributions is 40 percent. Although all three bills include provisions for increased teacher training, a stronger pre-referral process, and an increase in state monitoring and technical assistance, only Senate bill 309 retains the current protections for independent evaluations. All rights reserved.