Watertown Special Education Alliance began with conversations between parents who once thought they were alone.

Parents from different schools, grade levels, and backgrounds found themselves describing many of the same challenges navigating special education in Watertown Public Schools. Although our children have diverse disabilities, strengths, and needs, we found our experiences and concerns often reflected similar patterns.

For many of us, these conversations were truly life changing. What we had believed were isolated struggles became a shared understanding that systemic improvements were needed. Instead of accepting that these experiences were simply part of the process, we chose to come together to advocate for change.

Watertown Special Education Alliance exists because we believe families are essential partners in public education. Caregivers bring expertise about their children that cannot be replicated, and meaningful collaboration leads to better outcomes for students. When families are informed, respected, and included in decision-making, schools become stronger and children are better served.

The Alliance is built on the principles of community, transparency, accountability, and collaboration. We aim to educate families about their rights, connect parents with one another, elevate family voices, and advocate for policies and practices that improve special education for all students, not just our own children.

Our advocacy has grown into a community of hundreds of families and supporters who believe that every student deserves access to a high-quality, individualized education. Together, we have organized around shared concerns, encouraged constructive public dialogue, and called for greater transparency and accountability within our district. Throughout our work, our focus has remained the same: creating a stronger, more responsive special education system for all current and future students. We have actively decided that we will not be defined by what brought us together; we will be defined by what we are building together.

We know that real change takes time. It requires listening, trust, and a willingness to learn from families' lived experiences. It also requires a shared commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.

Our hope is that every family in Watertown feels heard, respected, and empowered to participate fully in their child's education. We envision a school community where collaboration replaces conflict, where transparency builds trust, and where every student with a disability feels safe and successful.

This is more than an advocacy group. We are a community of families who believe that when we work together, we can help build a public school system where every family is valued and every student has the opportunity to thrive.


This website is independently run and not officially associated with Watertown Public Schools.