Basic Rights Workshop for Special Education Feb. 9

It’s not easy for parents of special needs children to navigate their way in the sometimes confusing world of special education. Who is eligible for special education? What are their rights? How can they make sure these rights are being addressed?

To answer these questions and more, the Hopkinton, Holliston and Ashland PACs (Parent Advisory Council), will be hosting a Basic Rights workshop on Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School Library. Presented by the Federation for Children, this workshop will give families an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. It is designed to teach parents how to be effective partners with the school, decide the child’s eligibility for special education, and plan, make decisions and monitor the educations process of their children.

Based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, SPEAC is made up of parents and guardians working to ensure all children with special needs are educated effectively. SPEAC believes in the importance of each child’s education, striving to continually improve the quality of Hopkinton’s special education programs through a variety of programs, speakers, administration meetings, and community outreach services. SPEAC provides resources needed from the preschool age child to the high school graduate and beyond.

For more information or to become a member, contact Karen Weiskerger at 508-497-3959, Amy Lincoln at 508 497-0172, or visit the SPEAC Web page listed under Support Organizations on the Hopkinton School District web site hopkinton.k12.ma.us. Or confidentially email SPEAC at speacofhopkinton@gmail.com.