What is a surrogate parent?

Surrogate parent means a person appointed by a school district to represent a child with a disability who has or may need special education services. This person may not be receiving public funds to educate or care for the child.

However a foster parent may be a surrogate parent if no conflict of interest exists.

A foster parent may be considered to be the parent if:

• The natural parents' rights are extinguished

• The foster parent has a long-term relationship with the child,

• The foster parent is willing to take the parent role in special education, and

• The foster parent has no conflict of interest