However, the facts clearly demonstrate that these anecdotes present a distorted view inconsistent with reality. Parents and advocates are unreasonable and consistently oppose efforts to reform Chapter 766. Parents and advocates actively participated with 15 statewide organizations to develop a comprehensive and far-reaching Special Education Reform Proposal. This proposal, which represents major concessions by parents, addresses mechanisms to tighten eligibility, reduce costs for independent evaluations, revise discipline standards for children with disabilities, and increase the state s share of special education costs. Parents and advocates developed this Reform Proposal in conjunction with state organizations representing superintendents, school committees, principals, special education directors, private schools, collaboratives, and teachers unions.
Special education is out of control the numbers and cost are skyrocketing and no relief is in sight.
Recent changes to Chapter 766 have stopped special education growth. The percentage of children receiving special education in Massachusetts has stabilized and decreased incrementally. At the same time, the number of children receiving special education in the rest of the country has steadily increased. Massachusetts cost increases reflect the fact that a greater proportion of children with special needs have severe disabilities, as documented in the recent report of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. No one is to blame for the increasing costs of educating children with severe disabilities.