Introduction
Since the beginning of our nation, free public education for all our citizens has been recognized as an important right. Children with disabilities have been included only since 1975 when Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This law was most recently reauthorized in 2004 as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html
Congress recognized the importance of active parents' involvement in planning their children's educational programs, monitoring progress, and challenging inappropriate decisions. This child advocate role is usually filled by parents. However, the laws give an alternative if the parents of a child with a disability are unknown or completely unavailable or if the child is a ward of the state. Surrogate parents fill the parental role in these situations. Most often a surrogate is either a foster parent or a volunteer from the local community.