Celebrating 50 Years of IDEA: Stars School Proudly Stands With MA Leaders, Educators, and Families
On November 12, 2025, members of our Stars School & Learning Center team joined educators, advocates, and state leaders at the Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS) celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Our team — Dr. Renée Heywood, CEO of Stars, Nancy Duggan of Decoding Dyslexia MA & Stars’ Board Member, Karen Smizer, Director of Philanthropy, Megan Breton, Enrollment and Partnership Coordinator, and Anastasia Frank, Admission Counselor— represented Stars’ with pride. The event brought together school leaders, students, and families from across the Commonwealth to recognize decades of progress and reaffirm a shared commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to the specialized instruction and support they deserve.
This milestone gathering held special meaning for Stars. During the program, the Stars School & Learning Center was recognized on the MAAPS statewide timeline as Massachusetts’ newest approved special education school, opening in 2025. Seeing our logo added to the official history of MAAPS schools underscored the importance of our mission and the impact our work will have on students with language-based learning differences.
Being part of this celebration was both energizing and grounding. IDEA’s legacy lives in the everyday work of teachers, families, and schools that believe in each child’s potential. At Stars, we carry that commitment forward. Our school is designed to meet the needs of diverse learners through evidence-based instruction, individualized support, and a culture that champions confidence, growth, and belonging.
We are honored to join the MAAPS community and excited to partner with colleagues across the state who are shaping what high-quality, equitable special education looks like for the next generation.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. This celebration reinforced that this work matters — and that Stars is ready to contribute in a meaningful way.
