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​​Educational Surrogate Parents

Each student who qualifies or may qualify for special education services has a right to parental/guardianship representation in special education matters and processes. Parental consent must be given for many elements of special education evaluation and implementation of services. Some students in need of evaluation or services may not have a parent or guardian available. For those students, an Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) may be assigned to act as an advocate and fulfill duties of a parent/guardian in the special education process on the student’s behalf.

A student who is between the ages of 3-22 who is eligible or is under evaluation for eligibility for special education services and meets one of the below criteria qualifies for an Educational Surrogate Parent

  • Is a youth in care
  • Is an unaccompanied homeless youth as defined in Section 725(6) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(6)),
  • Is a child for whom no parent (as defined in § 300.30) can be identified, or
  • Is a child for whom the educational entity cannot locate a parent after reasonable attempts​

Educational Surrogate Parent Request
Per Illinois Administrative Code 226.550: When a child who is a ward of the State is placed in a residential facility, a representative of that facility shall submit to the State Board of Education a request for the appointment of a surrogate parent. Upon enrollment of a student, the resident school district is responsible for ensuring the assignment of a surrogate parent if the residential facility has not already done so.

To submit a request to appoint, replace or withdraw an Educational Surrogate Parent, please complete the Educational Surrogate Parent Electronic Request Form

How Does One Become an Educational Surrogate Parent?

Anyone interested in becoming an Educational Surrogate Parent should contact the Educational Surrogate Parent Program at surrogate@isbe.net or Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center at 866-436-7842.

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