SPECIAL EDUCATION INSIGHTS
When You Know More,
You Can Ask Better Questions.
Practical guidance from Maureen Brown on IEPs, special education advocacy, BSEA decisions, therapeutic placement, college transition, and the questions families don't always know to ask.
Find guidance based on what you're working through right now.
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Recent Insights From Maureen
Practical guidance on IEPs, advocacy, placement, transition, and the decisions families are facing right now.
BSEA Decision Summaries Summer Decisions
BSEA Decisions from Summer 2026.
How parents can use it to determine how hearing officers make decisions.
Should Dyslexia Be Its Own Special Education Category? What Parents Need to Know
Option 2: Bold + Opinion (your voice)
Here we go again… changing labels instead of fixing the real problem.
A new bill would make dyslexia its own category under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Yes, dyslexia needs attention—but let’s be honest:
👉 Kids aren’t struggling because of the category
👉 They’re struggling because they’re not getting the right support
Focus on services. Always.
Understanding the New IEP form in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has introduced a new Individualized Education Program (IEP) form aimed at streamlining and enhancing the special education process. This updated IEP form introduces several key changes designed to improve clarity and effectiveness:
Simplified Language: The new form uses clearer, more accessible language to ensure that all stakeholders—parents, educators, and specialists—can easily understand and contribute to the IEP.
Enhanced Section Structure: The format has been restructured to make it more user-friendly. Sections are now better organized to highlight critical components such as goals, accommodations, and services, facilitating easier navigation and updates.
Increased Focus on Student Outcomes: There is a stronger emphasis on measurable goals and outcomes, ensuring that the IEP more effectively tracks a student’s progress and adjusts interventions as needed.
Integrated Input Mechanisms: The form now includes built-in sections for gathering input from students, parents, and teachers, promoting a more collaborative approach to developing and revising IEPs.
Digital Compatibility: The new form is designed to be compatible with digital platforms, allowing for easier updates and sharing among stakeholders, and supporting better record-keeping and accessibility.
Overall, the revised IEP form aims to enhance the educational experience for students with special needs by fostering clearer communication, more precise goal-setting, and greater collaboration among everyone involved in the student’s education.
MASSACHUSETTS BSEA DECISIONSBSEA Decisions, Without the Legal Jargon.
When a special education dispute in Massachusetts reaches the Bureau of Special Education Appeals, the decisions can tell families a lot about how hearing officers look at evidence, placement, evaluations, stay-put rights, district obligations, and FAPE. Maureen breaks down selected BSEA decisions in plain language so you can understand what happened, why the hearing officer ruled the way they did, and what families can learn from the case.
NEED MORE THAN AN ARTICLE?
Your Child's Situation Isn't Generic.
Your Next Step Shouldn't Be Either.
Articles can help you understand the issue. But your child's records, history, school district, and current situation determine what comes next. If you need help figuring out your next move, start with the level of support you need.
I NEED DIRECTION
Education Strategy Session
A focused 30-minute conversation with Maureen to talk through your situation, understand your options, and decide what to do next.
I NEED MY DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Document Review + Strategy
Maureen reviews up to two documents before your 30-minute strategy call so you can discuss the records, concerns, and next steps together.
BSEA Decisions from Summer 2026.
How parents can use it to determine how hearing officers make decisions.