Individuals who serve as surrogate parents fulfill an important role in the life of a child with a disability. Surrogates have become increasingly important in special education because a growing number of children are living outside their family for some period of their lives. Like parents, surrogates of children with disabilities are granted a significant decision-making role and are involved at every step of the special education process, including:
- Identification that the child may have a disability;
- Evaluation to see if the child has a disability and is eligible for special education services;
- Placement in an appropriate special education program for eligible children; and
- The provision of a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) for the eligible child.
The absence of a parent can deny a child’s access to appropriate identification, evaluation, placement and provision of FAPE.