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Compensatory Services

Boston Public Schools understands that staffing shortages may be affecting some students’ special education services. The Office of Specialized Services (OSS) is actively working to recruit more providers to ensure students receive the support they need. As OSS recruits more providers, they are offering Compensatory Services to help address missed Individualized Education Services (IEP) services.

In Massachusetts, IEP compensatory services are additional educational services provided to a student with an IEP when the school has not fully delivered the services required under the IEP. The purpose of these services is to make up for the missed instruction or support.

To determine if compensatory services are needed, the school must assess whether the missed services resulted in regression (a loss of skills or progress) or a failure to make expected progress. If so, the school must provide appropriate interventions, such as tutoring, specialized instruction, related therapies (e.g., speech, occupational, or physical therapy), or extended learning time, to help the student regain skills and continue working toward their educational goals.

Reimbursement Options Letter

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Finding a Provider

Families have two options if they can find a qualified provider:

How to Qualify for Reimbursement

  • The provider must have the proper credentials and license.
  • A contract must be completed and approved by the City of Boston.
  • Reimbursement covers the number of IEP service hours missed.

How to Request Reimbursement

Required Documents for Reimbursement

  • Proof of Payment – A receipt for services rendered in addition to a bank statement, credit card statement, or canceled check that matches service receipts.
  • Session Notes – Dated and time-stamped notes that show which IEP goals were worked on during each session.
  • Provider’s License – A copy of the provider’s license. If the provider is a paraprofessional or behavior technician, a supervisor’s license must be included.

Processing Time & Additional Support

  • Once documents are submitted and reviewed, reimbursements requests may take approximately 5 weeks to process.
  • If you are unable to find an outside provider, OSS will work to provide compensatory services as soon as possible.
  • Your child’s school leader or related service provider will notify you when school-based services begin. Once these services start, reimbursements will no longer be available.

Contact Information

Compensatory Services
OSS-compensatory@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-8599