Children with disabilities enter school with unique educational needs. Federal and State laws provide special assurances that guarantee these unique needs are met and an appropriate education is provided. Among these assurances are rights making it possible for parents to act as advocates for their children and to work as partners with the school in developing an educational program designed to meet the special needs of their child. Many students in Wyoming do not have the support of their families. There are students whose parents are unknown or unavailable, or students who are wards of the State. Under these circumstances, the State protects the rights of a student with disabilities by appointing an educational surrogate parent to act in place of the natural parents or guardian. The educational surrogate parent is responsible for representing the student's best interests in all matters related to the provision of a free appropriate public education, and as such, has all the procedural rights afforded the student's parents regarding his/her education. The Educational Surrogate Parent Resource Manual is written for those who have accepted this role, to inform and assist in understanding the special education process and the parental role in that process. It emphasizes the critical importance of the relationship between the educational surrogate parent and the school district, assisting the surrogate to learn about the student and become an active partner with the school district. The manual provides overviews of the educational surrogate parent program, describing qualifications and responsibilities, and of special education, with information on the special education laws and regulations that govern educational surrogate parents. The role of the educational surrogate parent is defined and school communications and meetings are discussed. A glossary of terms and abbreviations, suggested communication approaches (People First) and resource list are included.