The Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) was founded in 1978 as a statewide association of schools dedicated to providing educational programs and services to students with special needs, particularly students who require specialized education programs and services as guaranteed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 766. MAAPS represents 81 member schools serving approximately 6,800 children with special needs from Massachusetts and other states and countries. MAAPS’ mission is to represent private special education schools in their goal of providing the highest quality education to students with special needs.
MAAPS Together for Change
Our commitment to supporting anti-racism in the maaps membership
MAAPS member schools do not discriminate against otherwise qualified handicapped individuals who seek admission to its specific programs, and for whom member schools can implement an Individualized Education Plan consistent with its educational and clinical services offered. Member schools review all potential candidates for admissions on a case-by-case basis and reserve the right, in their sole judgment, to accept only those qualified individuals who do not pose a significant health or safety risk to themselves or others, which risk cannot be reasonably addressed within its existing services, program and staff structure.
As members of the Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools, we recognize our responsibility for the welfare, training and education of the students in our care.
We subscribe to the statement originally made by the 1928 White House Conference on Child Care, that
children have a right to a life on which their handicap casts no shadow, but which is full day to day with those things which make it worthwhile; with comradeship, love, work, play, laughter and tears; a life in which these things bring continually increasing growth, richness, release of energies, and joy in achievement.
We, therefore, support the concept that our member schools strive to supply the best possible environment for the students under our care to grow, learn, develop, create, and assimilate values that they may take their rightful place in society.
We are responsible to the diversity of needs of our students and, to the best of our professional ability, meet those needs.
To uphold and honor the purposes of the Association we shall:
- represent, truthfully and fairly, our school by whatever medium of communication;
- maintain standards of truth and fairness in enrolling students and in our relationship with students and staff and refuse to discriminate against students, staff, parents or guardians on the basis of race, color, sex, religious affiliation, nationality, disability or ethnic origin;
- maintain helpful and cooperative relationships with other member schools, including the observance of fair and truthful practices in staff hiring and student recruitment;
- consult promptly with parents or guardians as to the advisability of removing a student from school should it be clear that the student is not appropriately placed;
- abide by and adhere to the rules of regulatory agencies as far as the same shall govern us;
- honor our financial commitments to parents, guardians, staff, vendors and others;
- uphold and maintain in all possible ways the highest professional standards in the conduct of our staff and school;
- strive continually to improve our knowledge and skill in the education and treatment of our students, and make available to the students, to those closely associated with them, and to our colleagues, the benefits of our professional attainments;
- strive continually to uphold these ethics, assist colleagues in upholding these ethics and be available to the Association to work with other member schools in meeting the code of ethics and providing the best possible environment for students in our care.
Our commitment to supporting anti-racism in the MAAPS membership.
AMPLIFICATION: Leveraging social media to amplify new and ongoing maaps membership efforts in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion using the hashtag #maapstogetherforchange.
PARTNERSHIP: Consultation with Mass Advocates for Children (MAC) to review and empower internal diversity, equity and inclusion practices within the MAAPS Board.
TRAINING: A series of virtual trainings including personal, policy, and classroom applications foucsed on both reflection and action.
Email akane@maaps.org for more information on training opportunities.
Past Events:
LMG and JBS: UFR Preparation
MAAPS IN-HOURS EXPERTS (members only)
Blind Spots with Raul Fernandez
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION FOCUS
From “Hearts & Minds” to Policy & Practice with Raul Fernandez
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION FOCUS
MAAPS/Denterlein COVID Communications
MAAPS IN-HOURS EXPERTS (members only)
Intro to Google Classroom: Jodi Zukowski
CLASSROOM AND CLINIC APPLICATION
Employment Law Workshop with Hirsch, Roberts, Weinstein
MAAPS IN-HOUSE EXPERTS (members only)
Crucial Conversations: Vital Smarts
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Google Classroom Advanced: Jodi Zukowski
CLASSROOM AND CLINIC APPLICATION
Crucial Accountability- Tools for resolving broken promises, violated expectations, L and bad behavior Vital Smarts
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Youth, Gender, and Sexual Identity- Our Role as Accomplices: Children's Friend Gender Wellness Initiative
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION FOCUS
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From Peer to Supervisor: Beth Skidmore
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Yoga for Stress Management: Jessica Miller
WORKFORCE SUPPORT
"Managing Up": Getting the Best From Your Relationship with Your Boss.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga for Youth (JRI Center for Trauma and Embodiment)
CLASSROOM AND CLINIC APPLICATION
I'm a Good Person! Isn't That Enough? and Leveling the Playing Field: Interrupting Patterns of Power and Privilege with Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White (1/2 day workshop)
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION FOCUS
Margins, Intersections, and Open Spaces: Creating Safer Classroom for Students of Color with Jen Matos, Associate Prof. at Mount Holyoke College
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION FOCUS
A Neuroscience-based Lens for Teachers and Administrators: An Orientation to the Social Resilience Model (SRM)
CLASSROOM AND CLINIC APPLICATION
Moving to Neuroscience-based action in Schools $75 with Laurie Leitch of Threshhold Global Works
CLASSROOM AND CLINIC APPLICATION