General Documents

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Department of Family Support Services has created a repository of:


2016 Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights – The protections described in this document are established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), 20 U.S.C. ยง1400 et seq., and COMAR 13A.05.01.01-.16. These protections establish, maintain, and implement procedural safeguards that meet the requirements of the IDEA 2004.


Facilitated IEP Meetings – To help special education planning teams reach agreements, the Maryland State Department of Education provides the option of a facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. This guide provides an introduction to IEP facilitation for parents and other family members to help orient them to this emerging practice.


The State of Inclusion In Prince George’s County – 2007 – A Report on Access to the General Education Classroom by Students With Disabilities in Prince George’s County Maryland, prepared by The Arc of Prince George’s County and the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee of Prince George’s County.


Learn about the MEANS Initiative – MEANS stands for “Making Education Accessible In Neighborhood Schools. Its goal is to provide a service delivery model for returning CSEP students in neighborhood elementary schools that permits maximum access to the general education curriculum.


The Thornton Commission Report – 2002 – This links directly to a 350-page report in which the commission found that an additional $1.8 billion would be needed to be phased in between fiscal years 2002 and 2007 to provide a constitutionally adequate education in every Maryland public school.