COVID-19 Cannot be a Time of No Education for Students with Special Needs

It appears that this pandemic of COVID-19 is a time that lawmakers such as Senator Lamar Alexander and others are ready and willing to basically exempt school districts from their obligations under IDEA. At this time our students need more not less education and more creative solutions. Elearning will not be the answer for many students with a high emphasis on self teaching and self-initiative. I have rarely seen schools take creative approaches but now is the time for schools to be more creative and not take an "oh well" approach to special education. This time off from school, that will likely last until the end of the year, and perhaps beyond cannot just be dead time. Fortunately there is guidance that school's still must meet the needs of students with special needs. The following is a posting from COPAA, detailing school's obligations (see below) at this time and beyond. We will likely need to have many (and extended) conversations about compensatory education for the many missed educational opportunities. Do not be shy about emailing your case manager and special education director requesting more than ineffective elearning for your student.