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.

Read the Latest Work With Maureen
EXPLORE BY TOPIC

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.

Maureen Brown Maureen Brown

Bringing School District Funding to the TableConsultation Services for National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Programs & Private Schools

What Ask the Advocate can help programs with

  • District Funding Strategy for Therapeutic & Private Schools

  • Advocacy Consultation for National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs Programs

  • IEP & FAPE Alignment Review

  • Family Education on Public Funding Pathways

  • Case Positioning & Documentation Guidance

  • District-Facing Communication Strategy

  • Professional Development & On-Site Training

  • Ethical Funding Frameworks That Reduce Conflict

Read More 
MASSACHUSETTS BSEA DECISIONS

BSEA 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.

Blog
BSEA Decision Summaries Summer Decisions
IEPs & Special Education Advocacy, Placement & District Funding, BSEA Decisions, College & Transition, Professional Insights
BSEA Decision Summaries Summer Decisions
IEPs & Special Education Advocacy, Placement & District Funding, BSEA Decisions, College & Transition, Professional Insights

BSEA Decisions from Summer 2026.

How parents can use it to determine how hearing officers make decisions.

Read more →
IEPs & Special Education Advocacy, Placement & District Funding, BSEA Decisions, College & Transition, Professional Insights
What This BSEA Ruling Teaches Every Family About Observations, Evidence, and the Cost of Cutting Corners
BSEA Decisions
What This BSEA Ruling Teaches Every Family About Observations, Evidence, and the Cost of Cutting Corners
BSEA Decisions

Why Parents Lost This BSEA Ruling | Special Education Advocate MA

A May 2026 BSEA decision against a Boston family shows why school observations and complete IEP evidence are essential. Massachusetts special education advocate explains.

/bsea-boston-public-schools-ruling-school-observation-iep-evidence

A May 2026 Bureau of Special Education Appeals decision in Student v. Boston Public Schools offers a hard lesson for families pursuing out-of-district therapeutic placements in Massachusetts. The parent had real concerns, retained independent experts, and fought for years — and still lost. The hearing officer's reasoning comes down to one critical gap: neither of the parent's experts had observed the student in the placement Boston was actually proposing.

Massachusetts special education advocate Maureen Brown breaks down why the case went to the district, what the IEP rejection pattern cost this family at hearing, and why observations of both the current and proposed placement are not optional steps in building a strong special education case. If your family is considering a therapeutic day placement or preparing for a BSEA hearing, this ruling has direct lessons for you

- What the BSEA Ruling in Student v. Boston Public Schools Actually Found

- Why Independent Expert Testimony Fell Short at Hearing

- The IEP Rejection Pattern That Hurt This Family's Case

- School Observations Are Not Optional in Massachusetts Special Education Disputes

- What Massachusetts Families Need to Know Before Filing for a BSEA Hearing

-

Read more →
BSEA Decisions
Why You Shouldn't Walk Into a BSEA Hearing Alone
BSEA Decisions
Why You Shouldn't Walk Into a BSEA Hearing Alone
BSEA Decisions

Parents fighting for their child's education deserve to walk into a BSEA hearing prepared. This article breaks down why going it alone is one of the biggest risks a family can take — and what to do if you have no other choice.

Read more →
BSEA Decisions
BSEA Decision Archive

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

$150

A focused 30-minute conversation with Maureen to talk through your situation, understand your options, and decide what to do next.

No document review included.
Book a Strategy Session

I NEED MY DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

Document Review + Strategy

$650

Maureen reviews up to two documents before your 30-minute strategy call so you can discuss the records, concerns, and next steps together.

Includes a written summary.
Book Document Review + Strategy

Not sure which level of support you need? Compare all services →