If your child is already enrolled in school
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- An Evaluation Request Letter (from your pediatrician or Navigator)
- Any pertinent medical diagnosis/ medical necessity letters from your pediatrician
WHAT TO DO
Submit an Evaluation Request Letter to the Coordinator of Special Education (COSE) at your child’s school
- Follow up: If you don’t hear back about the special education evaluation request within 5 school days, call the Special Education Department at your child’s school to check on the status.
If your child is NOT enrolled in school
What you'll need
- Evaluation Request Letter
- Birth certificate, passport or I-94 card
- Child's immunization records
- Child's physical exam records
- Parent/caregiver ID
- School records for student (if available)
- TWO proofs of address:
- Current lease
- Utility bill (not cellphone) dated within 60 days
- W2 Form dated within the year or payroll stubs dated within 60 days
- Bank or credit card statement dated within 60 days
- Letter from government agency dated within 60 days (DTA, DOR, DYS, DCF)
What to do
- Register your child for school at a BPS Welcome Center.
- Submit the Evaluation Request Letter at the time of registration.
- You will receive a receipt upon registration and a "T-Code" form. Keep this receipt and take a photo of it for your records.
Follow up! If you do not get a response regarding placement within 1-2 weeks, call the Welcome Center back.
District Contact Information
BPS - East Boston Neighborhood Welcome Center
(Located in Umana Academy)
312 Border St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 635-9597
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
BPS - Office of Special Education
specialeducation@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-8599
Massachusetts Family Guides
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers these helpful year-by-year guides for what to expect your child to learn in English language arts, math, science, and social studies. While they’re aligned to the Massachusetts standards (called the “MA Frameworks”), they’re great guides for families in any state.
Understood
Our first stop for anything related to learning differences. This is a great place to look for initial guidance if you have questions about your child’s social-emotional development or their learning needs.
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Related Resources
How to Get Legal Support for Special Education in Massachusetts
How to Request Educational Support Services for Your Child
Common Terms You Might Hear in Special Education
