The Merrimack Special Education Collaborative (MSEC) is one of the largest and most diverse educational collaboratives in Massachusetts. The Collaborative serves ten member schools districts - Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Groton-Dunstable Regional, Nashoba ValleyTechnical High School, North Middlesex Regional, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School as well as more than 55 other districts. Annually, the Collaborative provides special education programs and vocational services to more than 350 students and adults with physical, emotional and developmental challenges.

In its more than 25 years of service, the Collaborative has earned a reputation among school districts, families and other service agencies for making a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Parents, teachers, school district administrators and Collaborative staff work as a team to design and deliver an Individual Educational Program best suited for each student. The IEPs are designed to maximize individual progress and successful outcomes, which can range from reintegration into district-based classrooms, to employment, to higher education, and to entrance into the armed forces. Curriculum, throughout the Collaborative programs, is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. MSEC's well-trained and certified staff strive to provide comprehensive programs that address the many special education needs of students in a supportive and caring atmosphere.

Collaborative staff is comprised of 140 professionals and para professionals offering expertise in all special education and vocational areas. Staff members are highly dedicated and often remain with MSEC for extended periods of time. The high level of staff retention helps to establish and maintain a positive rapport with students, adults, families, school district personnel and other service agencies as well as provide consistent, high quality programming for people served by MSEC.