Key IDEA Part B Provisions and Waiver Requests...Apr 08, 2020 · Key IDEA Part B Provisions and...
Transcript of Key IDEA Part B Provisions and Waiver Requests...Apr 08, 2020 · Key IDEA Part B Provisions and...
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KeyIDEAPartBProvisionsandWaiverRequests
April8,2020
StephanieSmithLee
NationalDownSyndromeCongress
TheCoronavirusAid,Relief,andEconomicSecurityAct,H.R.748,alsoknownastheCARESAct,orCOVID-19#3,becamelawonMarch26,2020.Itisintendedtoaddresstheeconomicfalloutofthe2020Coronaviruspandemic.AprovisioninthislawrequirestheSecretaryoftheU.S.DepartmentofEducationtoreporttoCongress,withinthirtydaysofthebillbecominglaw,regardinganywaiverstheSecretarythinksarenecessarytotheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA),theEveryStudentSucceedsAct(ESSA),theRehabilitationActof1973(Section504),andtheCarlD.PerkinsCareerandTechnicalEducationAct,inorderto“providelimitedflexibilitytoStatesandlocaleducationalagenciestomeettheneedsofstudentsduringtheemergency…”
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ThisdocumentprovidesananalysisofcurrentprovisionsofIDEAPartBandrelevantU.S.DepartmentofEducation(ED)guidanceandpolicyletters,withproposalssubmittedbyvariousorganizationstowaivethoseprovisions.Apreviouslawgrantingafewverylimitedtimelineextensionsduringregionaldisasters,withprotectionsagainstwaiversofdueprocessandcivilrights,isalsoreferenced.Thisdocumentisnotintendedasalegalopinionoradvice,butratherasasourceofinformationaspolicymakersandadvocatesconsiderthisreportingrequirementinCOVID-19#3.Anumberoforganizationsarerequestingwaivers,withafewrequestingbroadwaiversofIDEA.SufficientflexibilityexistsundercurrentlawandinU.S.DepartmentofEducation(ED)guidanceandsuchwaiversarenotnecessaryandwoulddiminishfundamentalcivilrights.Requeststowaivealldueprocessprotectionsforchildrenandfamilies,overturnEDguidancetoeliminatecompensatoryeducationopportunities,anddrasticallyreducethestandardforafreeappropriatepubliceducation(FAPE),whichhasbeenafundamentalrightinthelawsince1975,wouldcausesignificantharmtostudentswithdisabilitiesandtheirfamilies.
TOPIC
POLICYISSUE SOURCE PROPOSAL ANALYSIS/COMMENTS
Generalwaiverauthority Ingeneral,EDhasnoauthoritytowaiveIDEAPartB.Departmentcannotextendtimelinesforevaluations,placements,annualreviewmeetings,dueprocesshearingsandresolution sessions.
Geary
FlexibilityinuseofPartBFunds
PriortoandduringaCOVID-19outbreak,“IDEAPartBfundsmaybeusedforactivitiesthatdirectlyrelatetoproviding,andensuringthecontinuityof,specialeducationandrelatedservicestochildrenwithdisabilities.”Example:developingemergencyplansforSWD.
EDQ&Apg6
CurrentflexibilityinuseofPartBfundsduringCOVID-19.
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Creatingacontingencyplanpriortoschoolclosure
“IEPteamsmay,butarenotrequiredto,includedistancelearningplansinachild’sIEPthatcouldbetriggeredandimplementedduringaselectiveclosureduetoaCOVID-19outbreak.Suchcontingentprovisionsmayincludetheprovisionofspecialeducationandrelatedservicesatanalternatelocationortheprovisionofonlineorvirtualinstruction,instructionaltelephonecalls,andothercurriculum-basedinstructionalactivities,andmayidentifywhichspecialeducationandrelatedservices,ifany,couldbeprovidedatthechild’shome.”
EDQ&Apg5
AllowsflexibilityforIEPTeamstocreatedistancelearningplansforuseduringaschoolclosure.SuchplansmaybeincludedinanIEPduringCOVID-19closureandmayincludealternatelocationsandmethodsofinstruction.
ServicestoSWDifschoolclosedandnoeducationforanyone.
“IfanLEAclosesitsschoolstosloworstopthespreadofCOVID-19,anddoesnotprovideanyeducationalservicestothegeneralstudentpopulation,thenanLEAwouldnotberequiredtoprovideservicestostudentswithdisabilitiesduringthatsameperiodoftime.”
EDQ&A Currentguidancesaysifnoeducationalservicesforgeneralstudentbody,thennoeducationrequiredforSWD.
IfnoedservicestogeneralpopulationthenservicestoSWDnotrequired.Oncereopened,“LEAmustmakeeveryeffort”toprovideIEPservices.
Geary&ED2017Guidancepg13
“Ifaschooldistrictclosesitsschoolsanddoesnotprovideanyeducationalservicestothegeneralstudentpopulation,thenaschoolwouldnotberequiredtoprovideservicestostudentswithdisabilitiesduringthatsameperiodoftime.”
OCRFAQ
COPAAFAQ COPAAdisagreeswiththerecentguidanceandtheirresearchindicatesthatpreviousEDguidanceandanumberofcourtcasesover
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theyearsfoundthatstudentswithdisabilitieshavearighttoreceiveaneducationduringschoolclosures.
NorequirementtostopeducationforallbecauseofIDEA
“Tobeclear,ensuringcompliancewiththeIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)…shouldnotpreventanyschoolfromofferingeducationalprogramsthroughdistanceinstruction.”
SchooldistrictsmustprovideFAPE,consistentwithhealthandsafety.…Circumstancesmayaffecthowprovidedandflexibilitywillbeprovided.“…althoughfederallawrequiresdistanceinstructiontobeaccessibletostudentswithdisabilities,itdoesnotmandatespecificmethodologies”Mayprovide“equallyeffectivealternateaccesstothecurriculumorservices.”
EDSupFAQpg1&2
GuidancesaysnoneedtocanceleducationalservicesforallstudentsduetoIDEA.FlexiblewaystoprovideFAPEtoSWD.
Schoolsclosedbuteducationalopportunitiesoffered.
“IfanLEAcontinuestoprovideeducationalopportunitiestothegeneralstudentpopulationduringaschoolclosure,theschoolmustensurethatstudentswithdisabilitiesalsohaveequalaccesstothesameopportunities,includingtheprovisionofFAPE….andschoolsmustensurethat,tothegreatestextentpossible,eachstudentwithadisabilitycanbeprovidedthespecialeducationandrelatedservicesidentifiedinthestudent’sIEPdevelopedunderIDEA…and300.201(IDEA)”
EDQ&A Togreatestextentpossible,FAPEmustbeprovidedduringCOVID-19.Someflexibilityallowed.
“IfanLEAcontinuestoprovideeducationalopportunitiestothegeneralstudent
2017EDGuidance
Ifeducationalopportunitiescontinue,schoolmust
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populationduringaschoolclosure,theschoolmustensurethatstudentswithdisabilitiesalsohaveequalaccesstothesameopportunities,includingtheprovisionofFAPE.(34CFR§§104.4,104.33(Section504)and28CFR§35.130(TitleIIoftheADA)).SEAs,LEAs,andschoolsmustensurethat,tothegreatestextentpossible,eachstudentwithadisabilitycanbeprovidedthespecialeducationandrelatedservicesidentifiedinthestudent’sIEPdevelopedunderIDEA,oraplandevelopedunderSection504.(34CFR§§300.101and300.201(IDEA),and34CFR§104.33(Section504))….Ifschoolsareprovidingeducationalopportunitiestothegeneralstudentpopulation,SEAsandLEAsarerequiredtoprovidetheservicesandaccommodationsneededforstudentswithdisabilitiestohaveanequalopportunitytoparticipateinadistance-learningprogram.”
pg13 ensurestudentswithdisabilitieshaveequalaccesstosameopportunities,includingFAPE.
MustIEPteamdetermineserviceswhenschoolclosed?
Ifaschoolcontinuestoprovideinstructiontothegeneralschoolpopulationduringanextendedclosureduetoadisaster,butisnotabletoprovideservicestoastudentwithadisabilityinaccordancewiththestudent’sIEP,thestudent’sIEPTeamdetermineswhichservicescanbeprovidedtoappropriatelymeetthestudent’sneeds….IEPteamnotrequiredtomeetinperson.
2017Guidancepg13&14
IEPteamdecideswhatservicestoofferduringadisaster.
Schoolrequests
Requests“Waivinganyconsentrequirementswhenaschooldistrictmustadjustastudent’sIndividual
IfStateswishtorequireparentconsentforIEPsthatistheiroptionunderIDEAandsomestatesdoso.This
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EducationProgram(IEP)forvirtualand/oradjustedinstruction.”
requestwouldunnecessarilyoverrideStatelaws/regulationstowaivethatStateconsentrequirement.
COPAAstates,“Somestates,likeConnecticutandMassachusetts,donotbelievethatanIEPmeetingisneededbeforetheschoolcanbegintoofferstudentsvirtuallearningopportunitiesunderthecurrentemergencywhichrequireschangesindeliveryofservicesforallstudents.”
COPAAQ&Apg1
StatesshouldbecomplyingwithEDguidance.COPAA’ssayssomeStatesthinkIEPdecisionsonservicesnotnecessaryduringdisaster.
WhenSchoolResumes Onceschoolresumes,theschoolmustreturntoprovidingspecialeducationandrelatedservicestostudentswithdisabilitiesinaccordancewiththestudent’sIEP….
“Thestudent’sIEPTeamalsomustreviewthestudent’sIEPanddeterminewhetheranyotherchangestotheIEPareneededasaresultoftheextendedabsencefromschool.(34CFR§300.324(b)(1)).”
OCRFAQpg3
Whenschoolresumes,IEPservicesmustresume.IEPTeammustdetermineifanychangesareneededtoanIEPforanindividualchild.
“Onceschoolresumes,theLEAmustmakeeveryefforttoprovidespecialeducationandrelatedservicestothechildinaccordancewiththechild’sindividualizededucationprogram(IEP)”
EDSUPFAQ
CompensatoryServicesafterSchoolReopens
“Where,duetotheglobalpandemicandresultingclosuresofschools,therehasbeenaninevitabledelayinprovidingservices–orevenmakingdecisionsabouthowtoprovideservices-IEPteams(asnotedintheMarch12,2020guidance)mustmakeanindividualizeddeterminationwhetherandtowhatextentcompensatoryservicesmaybe
EDSupFAQpg2
Afterschoolresumes,IEPteamsmustconsidercompensatoryservicesonanindividualbasis.
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neededwhenschoolsresumenormaloperations.”
Schoolrequests
Requests“Waivingtherighttocompensatoryeducationclaimsresultingfromtherequiredtransitiontovirtualand/oradjustedinstructionwhentheexactservicescannotbeprovidedthatwereprovidedinthepreviousIEPinplacepriortoschoolclosings.“
ThisrequesttowaivecompensatoryeducationafterschoolresumesisindirectcontradictiontotheEDguidanceandwouldhavealong-termdamagingimpactonmanychildrenwithdisabilities.
IEPTeamrequiredtomakeanindividualizeddeterminationastowhethercompensatoryservicesareneededtomakeupforanyskillsthatmayhavebeenlost.
ED2017Guidancepg13,14,15andOCRFAQpg3
EvaluationDeadline IDEAprovides that initialevaluationsmustbeconductedwithin60calendardaysofreceivingparentalconsent,orwithinaState-established timeframe.(wi th certa in except ions) 34CFR§300.301I(l)(i)IDEAallowsthistimelinetobe“extendedbymutualwrittenagreementofthechild’sparentsandagroupofqualifiedprofessionals”forevaluationforSpecificLearningDisabilities–thelargestcategoryofidentification.34CFR§300.309
Geary
Statescansettheirownevaluationdeadline,ifwithinfederaldeadline.EvaluationdeadlineforLDstudentsmaybeextendedbymutualagreement.
Secretaryauthorizedtoextendthe60calendardeadlineupto30daysfortheinitialevaluationofchildrentodeterminetheireligibilityforservicesunderIDEAin
CRSReportpg33
Katrinalawallowedupto30dayextensionofinitialevaluationtimeline.
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P.L.109-148(Katrinalaw)
Katrina
Schoolrequests
“…weaskthattheSecretarybe given the authority tohold that all timelinesunder the Act be waivedduring the times whereschools are closed andphysical contact withstudents is prohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder and also becomputed thereafter onlyin accordance with thedefinition of “schoolday”during the timeof thenational emergency. Thesedefinitions are set forthunder34C.F.R.§300.11
Requestswaivingalldeadlineswhenschoolisclosedandphysicalcontactnotallowed.Notcleariftheclockwould“startclicking”againwhenschoolresumes.Notclearwhatimpactof“schoolday”requestwouldbe.
NASDSE/CASECEC
Requests60-daytimelinerequirementsbepausedfromthedayschoolsclosedduetothepandemicandextendedfornotmorethan45schooldaysafterregularschoolyearin-personinstructionhasresumed.
Blanketwaiverrequestwithnodifferentiationforsituationswhenface-to-faceassessmentsarealreadycompletedandonlyameetingisneeded.Katrinalawallowedonlya30dayextensionofthistimeline.Thisrequestwouldallowapauseintimelinefromthetimethe school closed (generally March 2020) until 45 days after schools reopen many months later.
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(schoolclosurearticle)
(MobileSWD)
OSEPguidanceonhighlymobilechildrenwithdisabilities“clarifiesthatwhenachildhasmovedschooldistrictswhileintheprocessofevaluationthat,thoughnotideal,districtsareallowedtoextendthe(evaluation)timelineif(1)thedistrictis“makingsufficientprogress”tocompletetheevaluation,and(2)thedistrictandastudent’sparentscometoamutualagreementonanewtimeframe.”(quotefromarticle)Requestdoesnotincludetheserequirements.
PartCtoPartBTransitionTimelines
TheStatemusthaveineffectpoliciesandprocedurestoensurethat—(a)ChildrenparticipatinginearlyinterventionprogramsassistedunderPartCoftheAct,andwhowillparticipateinpreschoolprogramsassistedunderPartBoftheAct,experienceasmoothandeffectivetransitiontothosepreschoolprogramsinamannerconsistentwithsection637(a)(9)oftheAct;(b)Bythethirdbirthdayofachilddescribedinparagraph(a)ofthissection,anIEPor,ifconsistentwith§300.323(b)andsection636(d)oftheAct,anIFSP,hasbeendevelopedandisbeingimplementedforthechildconsistentwith§300.101(b);and
NASDSE/CASECEC
Requestspausingtherequirementtoidentifyachildonorbeforetheir3rdBirthdaybepausedfromthedayschoolsclosedduetothepandemicandextendedfornotmorethan45schooldaysafterregularschoolyearin-personinstructionhasresumed.
Notclearwhatwouldhappentothechild?Wouldachildcurrentlyreceivingearlyinterventionservicescontinuereceivingthoseservicesinsteadofgoingtopreschool?Notreceiveanyservices?Childrenmustcontinuereceivingservices.
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(c)EachaffectedLEAwillparticipateintransitionplanningconferencesarrangedbythedesignatedleadagencyundersection635(a)(10)oftheAct.
Timelines[34C.F.R.§300.124] School
requestsRequestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
Notcleariftheclockwould“startclicking”againwhenschoolresumes.Broadwaiverrequestwithoutindicationofwhatwouldhappentochildrenneedingservices.
Reevaluations “Areevaluationofeachchildwithadisabilitymustbeconductedatleasteverythreeyears,unlesstheparentsandthepublicagencyagreethatareevaluationisunnecessary34C.F.R.§300.303(b)(2).However,whenappropriate,anyreevaluationmaybeconductedthroughareviewofexistingevaluationdata,andthisreviewmayoccurwithoutameetingandwithoutobtainingparentalconsent,unlessitisdeterminedthatadditionalassessmentsareneeded.34C.F.R.§300.305(a).”
EDSupFAQpg5
Re-evalmaybeareviewofexistingdataandmayoccurwithoutameetingandwithoutparentalconsent,unlessadditionalassessmentsneeded.(Althoughparentswouldnotwantdecisionswithoutthem.)ThiscouldbeanissueforchildrenidentifiedunderDevelopmentalDelaywhomusttransitiontoanotherIDEAeligibilitycategorybyacertainage.
Evaluations/Re-evaluationsduringdisasters
Ifanevaluationofastudentwithadisabilityrequiresaface-to-facemeetingorobservation,theevaluationwouldneedtobedelayeduntilschoolreopens.Evaluationsandreevaluationsthatdonotrequireface-to-faceassessmentsorobservationsmaytake
2017Guidancepg.14andOCRFAQpg3
Delayface-to-facecontact.Ifface-to-facenotneeded,evalsandre-evalsmaytakeplaceifparentconsents.
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placewhileschoolsareclosed,iftheparentconsents.
NASDSE/CASECEC
Requestsreevaluationtriennialduedatesbepausedfromthedayschoolsclosedduetothepandemicandextendedfornotmorethan45schooldaysafterregularschoolyearin-personinstructionhasresumed.
WouldstudentscontinuetobeconsideredaSWDinneedofspecialeducationandrelatedservices?NotclearwhythiswouldbeneededinlightofrecentEDguidance.
Schoolrequests
Requestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
NotclearwhythiswouldbeneededinlightofrecentEDguidance.
GeneralIEPrequirement §300.323WhenIEPsmustbeineffect.(a)General.Atthebeginningofeachschoolyear,eachpublicagencymusthaveineffect,foreachchildwithadisabilitywithinitsjurisdiction,anIEP,asdefinedin§300.320.
IDEA:§300.323(a)
IEPDevelopment Mustbedevelopedwithin30daysofdeterminingchildneedssped.Canmeetviaalternatemeans.34CFR§300.323©
EDSupFAQpg4&Geary
Schoolrequests
Requestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibited
Notcleariftheclockwould“startclicking”againwhenschoolresumes.
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underfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
NASDSE/CASECEC
NotclearifspecificallyrequestingtowaiveinitialIEPdevelopmenttimelinealthoughthereisageneralrequesttopausetimelines.
IEPServicesStartTime Servicesstart“assoonaspossible”afterIEPdeveloped.Canhaveleewayinisolatedcircumstancessuchasstorms,poweroutages.
Geary CurrentflexibilityallowedinstartofIEPservicesduringadisaster.
IEPreviews Periodicreview,atleastannually.34CFR§300.324(b).Afterannualreviewcanbeamendedwithanagreedupondocument(notfullIEPre-write).34CFR§300.324(a)(4).
EDSupFAQ&Geary
DonotneedafullIEPmeetingtoamendtheIEP.
Schoolrequests
Requestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
NotclearunderthisproposalwhatwouldhappentostudentstransitioningbetweenschoolsintheFall–elementarytomiddle,middletohighschool,orstudents18to21andstilleligibleforIDgoingtotransitionprogramsorpostsecondaryprogramsforstudentswithID.AnIEPisneededtodetermineplacement.Thesestudentsmustnotbeoverlooked.
NASDSE/CASECEC
RequestsIEPannualreviewtimelinespausedfromthedayschoolsclosedduetothepandemicandextendedfornotmorethan45school
Sameasabove.
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daysafterregularschoolyearin-personinstructionhasresumed.
DocumentationofFAPE&IEPMeetingProcedures
[34C.F.R.§300.323(c)(1);34C.F.R.§300.324(b)(1);34C.F.R.§300.324(a)(4)(i);34C.F.R.§300.328]
NASDSE/CASE
RecommendallIEPsineffectbeforeschoolclosurestayineffect.Requestallowingaseparatedocumenttobecreatedsuchasa‘distance/continuallearningplan.’“Theplanshouldbeclearlycommunicatedafterconsultationwiththeparent.Inaddition,teammeetingrequirementsshouldbeflexibleduringthedevelopmentofthedocumentationofthenewplan.ThedevelopmentoftheplanwouldmaintainIEPsandplacementstoavoidastay-putplacement(inthehomeenvironment)underadueprocesscomplaintduringthisnationalcrisis.NoIEPswouldneedtobeamendedunderthisplan.”
TheyinterpretED’sQ&Atomean“thateveryschooldistrictinthecountrywillbechangingachild’splacementaftertendaysofschoolclosure”.Notclearwhythisistheirinterpretation.
Apparentlyundertheirrequest,planswouldbecreatedinconsultationwiththeparent,butitappearstheintentistootelltheparentwhatwillbeprovided,notusetheIEPteamastheguidancerequires.
Theguidanceisclearthatdecisionsaboutdistance/continuallearningplansareIEPTeamdecisionsthatincludeparentsinthedecisionmaking–notjustinformthem–andthisrequirementshouldnotbewaived.
[34C.F.R.§300.323(c)(1);34C.F.R.§300.324(b)(1);34C.F.R.§300.324(a)(4)(i);
CEC RecommendsthatallIEPswrittenbeforetheclosureofschoolsduringthe
NOTEthedifferencebetweenNASDSE/CASEandCECrecommendationson
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34C.F.R.§300.328]. pandemicbemaintained.ServicesinthesecrisiscircumstancesshouldbereflectiveoftheIEPtotheextentpossible,carriedoutinconsultationwiththeparents,andcontinuallydocumented.
thistopic.Seeabove.
60DayStateComplaintDisputeResolutionTimeline
“Absentagreementbytheparties,astatemaybeabletoextendthe60-daytimelineforcomplaintresolutionifexceptionalcircumstancesexistwithrespecttoaparticularcomplaint.34C.F.R.§300.152(b)(1).AlthoughtheDepartmenthaspreviouslyadvisedthatunavailabilityofstaffisnotanexceptionalcircumstancethatwouldwarrantanextensionofthe60-daycomplaintresolutiontimeline,theCOVID-19pandemiccouldbedeemedanexceptionalcircumstanceifalargenumberofSEAstaffareunavailableorabsentforanextendedperiodoftime.“
EDSupFAQpg4
FlexibilityalreadyallowsforStatecomplaintresolutioniflargenumberofSEAstaffunavailable.
Schoolrequests
Requestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
NASDSE/CASECEC
Requestscomplainttimelinesbepausedfromthedayschoolsclosedduetothepandemicandextendedfornotmorethan
EDSupplementalFAQalreadygivesflexibilityifSEAstaffareunavailable.
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45schooldaysafterregularschoolyearin-personinstructionhasresumed.
Schoolrequests
Requestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
EDSupplementalFAQalreadygivesflexibilityifSEAstaffareunavailable.
20U.S.Code§ 1415.Proceduralsafeguards.ThissectionofIDEA“ensuresthatchildrenwithdisabilitiesandtheirparentsareguaranteedproceduralsafeguardswithrespecttotheprovisionofafreeappropriatepubliceducationbysuchagencies.”See:https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1415
SchoolrequestsKatrinabill
Requestswaiving“thedueprocessrequirementsunder20U.S.Code§1415underverylimitedcircumstances.”
Thisappearstobearequesttowaivealldueprocessprotectionsinthelaw.Thesecivilrightshaveneverbeenwaivedbeforeandareessentialtoprotectingchildren.TheKatrinalawstatesnothinginthelawshouldbeconstruedtoallowwaivingIDEAProceduralsafeguards.
20U.S.C.§1415(f)(E)(ii),(E)Decisionofhearingofficer(i)Ingeneral
§ Subjecttoclause(ii),adecisionmadebyahearingofficershallbemadeonsubstantivegroundsbasedonadeterminationofwhetherthechildreceivedafreeappropriatepubliceducation.
Schoolrequests
“TheSecretaryshouldbeabletoconcludethat,pursuantto20U.S.C.§1415(f)(E)(ii),anyfailuretoprovidein-personinstructionpursuanttoastudent’sIEPduringthisnationalemergencyisatechnicalcontraventionoftheIDEAandthereforenot
GuidancealreadystatesthatSuchcontingentprovisionsmayincludetheprovisionofspecialeducationandrelatedservicesatanalternatelocationortheprovisionofonlineorvirtualinstruction,instructionaltelephonecalls,andothercurriculum-based
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(ii)Proceduralissues§ Inmattersalleginga
proceduralviolation,ahearingofficermayfindthatachilddidnotreceiveafreeappropriatepubliceducationonlyiftheproceduralinadequacies—
§ (I)impededthechild’srighttoafreeappropriatepubliceducation;
§ (II)significantlyimpededtheparents’opportunitytoparticipateinthedecisionmakingprocessregardingtheprovisionofafreeappropriatepubliceducationtotheparents’child;or
o (III)causedadeprivationofeducationalbenefits.
See:https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-ii/1415/f
subjecttoIDEA’sdueprocessrequirements.”
instructionalactivities,andmayidentifywhichspecialeducationandrelatedservices,ifany,couldbeprovidedatthechild’shome.”
DueProcess:15daystoconvenemeeting
“Whenaparentfilesadueprocesscomplaint,theLEAmustconvenearesolutionmeetingwithin15daysofreceivingnoticeoftheparent’scomplaint,unlessthepartiesagreeinwritingtowaivethemeetingortousemediation.34C.F.R.§300.510(a).
EDSupFAQPg4
Ifaparentfilesacomplaint,schoolmustconvenearesolutionmeetingwithin15days
Geary Maymeetbyphone,internettoresolvedispute.
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ofreceivingcomplaint.34CFR§300.510(a)(t).Ifparentcan’tmeetthen,LEAcanofferalternateparticipation(phone,etc.).34CFR§300.510(a)(3).
DueProcess:30daysresolutionperiod
“WhiletheIDEAspecificallymentionscircumstancesinwhichthe30-dayresolutionperiodcanbeadjustedin34C.F.R.§300.510(c),itdoesnotpreventthepartiesfrommutuallyagreeingtoextendthetimelinebecauseofunavoidabledelayscausedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.”
Partiesmaymutuallyagreetoextendthistimeline.
Ifnotresolvedwithin30daysofreceivingcomplaint,dueprocesshearingmayoccur.34CFR§300.510(b).Regsallowchangeintimetoresolve.34CFR§300.510(c)
Geary Regulationsallowflexibilityinthedeadlinetoresolvedisputes.
DueProcessHearingDecision
“Additionally,althoughahearingdecisionmustbeissuedandmailedtotheparties45daysaftertheexpirationofthe30-dayresolutionperiodoranadjustedresolutionperiod,ahearingofficermaygrantaspecificextensionoftimeattherequestofeitherpartytothehearing.”34C.F.R.§300.515(a)and(c).
EDSupFAQpg4
Hearingofficermaygranttimeextensionforfinaldecision.
Finaldecisionondueprocesscomplaintrequired“not later than45daysaftertheexpirationofthe30-day resolution period(orextendedtimeallowedbyregs).“ Ahearingofficermaygrantspecificextensionsoftimebeyondthetimelines….attherequestofeitherparty.34CFR§300.515(c).”
SPP/APRReporting “Katrinalaw”,P.L.109-148,extendedtimeforupto60daystofinalizeStatePerformancePlan(SPP)andupto60daystosubmitAnnualPerformancePlan(APR)for
KatrinalawCRS
KatrinalawextendedSPPandAPRdeadlinesupto60days
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the2005-2006schoolyear.
NowaiverauthorityoverkeyIDEAprovisions,suchastherighttoafreeappropriatepubliceducationorproceduralsafeguardsgrantedundertheact.
Reportpg33
SPP/APRreporting OSEPextendedduedateforNYAPRforonemonthduetoHurricaneSandyandrecommendedNYincludeinfoonhowthehurricaneaffectedLEAandSEAinfoforAPR/SPR.
Geary PrecedentforextendingAPRduedatewithoutwaiverinlaw.
StatesshouldreportanyindicatorsLEAshavetroublereportingonduetodisaster
2017EDGuidancePg16
Schoolrequests
Requestsall“timelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.”
Datacollection,correctiveactionplans,monitoringandenforcement
[34C.F.R.§300.152]
NASDSE/CASE
Requeststemporarilyadjustingdistrictandstateperformanceplandeadlines,including,butnotlimitedto“submissionof…theStateSystemicImprovementPlan(SSIP),StatePerformancePlan(SPP)/AnnualPerformanceReport(APR),andstatemonitoringandenforcement.
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CEC “ItisessentialthatthestandardssetforthundertheIDEArelatedtodistrictandstateperformanceplansbereconsideredunderthecircumstances”
LessspecificthanNASDSE/CASE.
WaivingStateMOE “TheSecretarymaywaive,onefiscalyearatatime,therequirementunderPartBoftheIDEAthatStatesnotreducetheamountofStatefinancialsupportforspecialeducationandrelatedservicesforchildrenwithdisabilitiesifdoingsowouldbeequitableduetoexceptionaloruncontrollablecircumstances,suchasadisasterorunforeseendeclineinthefinancialresourcesoftheState.(34CFR§300.163(c)(1)).”
Insubsequentyearsfollowingawaiver,levelofsupportisamountinprecedingyear.(34300.163(d))
SomeStateMOEwaiversgrantedin2009-10and2010-11.Seehttps://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/smfs-partb-waivers.html
SecretarymaywaiveStateMOEduetoadisaster,butnotLEAMOE.StatesmustsubmitarequesttotheSecretarytowaiveStateMOE.
“TheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)grantstheSecretaryauthoritytowaivestatemaintenanceofeffort(MOE)requirementsandrequirementstosupplement,notsupplant,federalfundsundercertaincircumstances.”NoauthoritytograntLEAMOE.“ForFY2006,theSecretaryusedthisauthorityunderIDEASection612(a)(18)(c)towaiveLouisiana’sstatelevelMOErequirements.”
CRSReportpg1&13
WaivingLEAMOE IDEAdoesnotprovideforawaiverofLEA NASDSE RequestsLEAMOE ShouldCongressprovidefor
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MaintenanceofEffort(MOE).ItprovidesforMOEreductioninlimitedcircumstances,whichdonotinclude“exceptionaloruncontrollablecircumstances”(34C.F.R.§300.203-205)See:https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/34/300.203
/CASEBoundyletter
requirementtobe“waived”for2019-2020(actuallynotawaiverprocessbutratherablanketwaiving)
suchwaivingofLEAMOE,itshouldbemadeclearthatinsubsequentyearsthelevelwouldbethesameasintheyearpreceding(inthiscase2018-2019)SeeLettertoBoundy.
ProportionateShare SchooldistrictsarerequiredtosetasideIDEAfundsunderComprehensiveCoordinatedEarlyInterveningServices(CCEIS)procedurestowardaddressingdisproportionality.[34C.F.R.§300.133][34C.F.R.§300.205;34C.F.R.§300.326]
NASDSE/CASE
RequestsunspentCCEISandproportionatesharedollarsarecarriedovertothe2020-2021schoolyear.
EndrewF.andmisinterpretationof“Child’scircumstances”
SupremeEndrewF.decision.JusticeRobertswrote:TheIDEAdemandsmore.Itrequiresaneducationalprogramreasonablycalculatedtoenableachildtomakeprogressappropriateinlightofthechild’scircumstances.”
COPAAFAQEndrewF.Q&A
“Tobeclear,thisappliestothechild’sabilitiesandpotential–nottotheclosureofschools.”(COPAAFAQ).
Someorganizationsarereferencingtheterm“child’scircumstances”inEndrewF.torefertothepandemicandasareasontolimitservices.AnEDQ&AonEndrewF.furtherexplainsthatthisreferstothechild:“the Court stated that the IEP Team, which must include the child’s parents (8) as
21
Mostboldemphasisisauthor’s.
Team members, must give “careful consideration to the child’s present levels of achievement, disability, and potential for growth.”
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RESOURCESANDREFERENCES
Thefollowingresourceswerereviewedindevelopingthisdocumentandmostarecitedinthechart,listedinorderreferencedandfollowed(inparentheses)bytheabbreviationusedinthe“source”columninthechart.USDepartmentofEducation(ED),OfficeofSpecialEducationandRehabilitationServices(OSERS),OfficeofSpecialEducationPrograms(OSEP)policylettertoMs.GearyandMr.DeLorenzoattheNewYorkStateEducationDepartment.November20,2012.https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/policy-letter-november-20-2012-to-pat-geary-and-james-p-delorenzo/(Geary)QuestionsandAnswersonProvidingServicestoChildrenwithDisabilities(SWD)DuringtheCoronavirusDisease2019Outbreak,OSERSfactsheetonprovidingservicestoSWDs,USDepartmentofEducation.March2020https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-covid-19-03-12-2020.pdf(EDQ&A)Non-RegulatoryGuidanceonFlexibilityandWaiversforGranteesandProgramParticipantsImpactedbyFederallyDeclaredDisasters,U.S.DepartmentofEducation(ED).September2017.https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/sites/default/files/disaster-guidance.pdf(ED2017Guidance)FactSheet:AddressingtheRiskofCOVID-19inSchoolsWhileProtectingtheCivilRightsofStudents,USDepartmentofEducation(ED)OfficeofCivilRights(OCR).March16,2020.https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ocr-coronavirus-fact-sheet.pdf(OCRFAQ)SupplementalFactSheetAddressingtheRiskofCOVID-19inPreschool,ElementaryandSecondarySchoolsWhileServingChildrenwithDisabilities,OSERSsupplementalfactsheet,USDepartmentofEducation,OSERS.March21,2020.https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/faq/rr/policyguidance/Supple%20Fact%20Sheet%203.21.20%20FINAL.pdf(EDSupFAQ)DepartmentofDefense,EmergencySupplementalAppropriationstoAddressHurricanesintheGulfofMexico,andPandemicInfluenzaAct,2006,P.L.109-148.(Katrinalaw)SeeAppendixB.Lettersfromrepresentativesofvariousschoolgroupsrequestingbroadwaivers.SeeAppendixA.(schoolrequests).SeeAppendixA.CouncilofAdministratorsofSpecialEducation(CASE)andNationalAssociationofStateDirectorsofSpecialEducation(NASDSE)lettertoOfficeofSpecialEducationandRehabilitativeServices(OSERS)andOfficeofSpecialEducationPrograms(OSEP).March31,2020.https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SaXyHldrF6h3OXuIMYGyY06o13ZYbDF8(NASDSE/CASE)
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CouncilforExceptionalChildren(CEC)lettertoEDrequesting“flexibilities”.https://cec.sped.org/news/CEC-Response-CARES-Act?_zs=rFndW1&_zl=q3Me6(CEC)FAQonImpactofCOVID-19,CouncilofParentAttorneysandAdvocates(COPAA).March31,2020.https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.copaa.org/resource/resmgr/docs/2020_docs/faq_final-3-31-2020.pdf(COPAAFAQ)EDOSERS/OSEPpolicylettertoMs.Boundy.April4,2012.https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/osep-04-04-2012.doc(Boundy)SpecialEducationandCOVID-19SchoolClosures,K.Bakken,E.Katz,W.Matthews,L.Shifter,TheCenturyFoundation,April7,2020,https://tcf.org/content/commentary/special-education-covid-19-school-closures/(schoolclosurearticle)OSEPDEARCOLLEAGUELETTERonEducationforHighlyMobileChildren,July19,2013(MobileSWD)
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/osep-dear-colleague-letter-on-education-for-highly-mobile-children/EDwebsite:QuestionsandAnswers(Q&A)onU.S.SupremeCourtCaseDecisionEndrewF.v.DouglasCountySchoolDistrictRe-1.https://sites.ed.gov/idea/questions-and-answers-qa-on-u-s-supreme-court-case-decision-endrew-f-v-douglas-county-school-district-re-1/
(EndrewF.Q&A)JointStatementonServingStudentswithDisabilitiesDuringCOVID-19Outbreak,TheCouncilofParentAdvocatesandAttorneys(COPAA),NationalAssociationofStateDirectorsofSpecialEducation(NASDSE),NationalDisabilityRightsNetwork(NDRN)andtheNationalCenterforParentLeadership,Advocacy,andCommunityEmpowerment(NationalPLACE).March23,2020.https://www.copaa.org/news/495542/COPAA-NASDSE-NDRN-National-Place-Statement-on-Serving-Students-with-Disabilities-During-COVID-19-.htmOfficeforCivilRights(OCR)ShortWebinaronOnlineEducationandWebsiteAccessibility.March17,2020.https://www.youtube.com/watch?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=&v=DCMLk4cES6AEDWebsite:StateMaintenanceofFinancialSupportWaiversunderPartBhttps://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/smfs-partb-waivers.htmlSpecialSupplement:COVID-19andK-12StudentswithDisabilities:InitialGuidance,PerryA.Zirkel,March20,2020.Retrievedfromwebsite:https://perryzirkel.com/2020/03/20/special-supplement-covid-19-and-k-12-students-with-disabilities-initial-guidance/
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APPENDIXA
LetterstoMembersofCongressRequestingBroadIDEAWaiversfromRepresentativesofSchoolOrganizations
LanguagerequestingbroadwaiversofIDEArequirementsisincludedinlettersfromrepresentativesoforganizationsinvariousstates.TheseState-levelorganizationsincludesuperintendents,schooladministrators,unions,schoolboards,principalsandothers.Thisstatementisnotintendedtoimplythatallsuchorganizationsinallthestatessupportthisrequest.Seeexamplesofthelanguagebelow.
ThefollowingidenticallanguageisincludedinvariousletterstoCongress:“Inparticular,weurgeyoutoensurethatanyforthcomingCOVID-19reliefpackagegrantstheSecretaryofEducationtheauthoritytowaivethedueprocessrequirementsunder20U.S.Code§1415underverylimitedcircumstances.TheSecretaryshouldbeabletoconcludethat,pursuantto20U.S.C.§1415(f)(E)(ii),anyfailuretoprovidein-personinstructionpursuanttoastudent’sIEPduringthisnationalemergencyisatechnicalcontraventionoftheIDEAandthereforenotsubjecttoIDEA’sdueprocessrequirements.Furthermore,theSecretaryshouldbeabletodeclarethattimelinesunderIDEAbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.OurrequestisrootedinaneedforpracticalityinthefaceofanationalemergencythatwasneverforeseenwhenIDEAwaswrittenin1975.Schooldistrictsacrossthecountryarenowclosed—likelyfortheremainderoftheschoolyear—forpublichealthreasons,withnoestablisheddatetoresumeinstructioninmanystates.Inmostcases,theonlyalternativefordistrictsistoprovidestudentswithinstructionthroughvirtualmeans.Forasmallportionofstudentswithdisabilities,however,itwillbeimpossibletocomplywiththeirIEPduetotheinabilityofourpersonneltointeractphysicallywiththestudent.WhilewewillimplementIEPstothebestofourabilityduringthepandemicandmostcertainlyensurethatserviceswillresumeoncethisemergencypasses,duringtheemergencyschooldistrictsmustnotbeheldliableundertheproceduraldueprocessrequirementsprovidedbytheActforafailuretomeetIEPsthatisbeyondtheircontrol.”Somelettersalsorequestthefollowing:
• Waivingalltimelines,includingbutnotlimitedtochildfind/eligibility,evaluations,annualIEPs,andtransitionsfromPartCtoPartB,duringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorder.
• Waivinganyconsentrequirementswhenaschooldistrictmustadjustastudent’sIndividualEducationProgram(IEP)forvirtualand/oradjustedinstruction.
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• Waivingtherighttocompensatoryeducationclaimsresultingfromtherequiredtransitiontovirtualand/oradjustedinstructionwhenthe
exactservicescannotbeprovidedthatwereprovidedinthepreviousIEPinplacepriortoschoolclosings.
Thisfollowingproposedlanguageisalsobeingcirculated.
1Becauseofthenationalemergency,schooldistrictsacrossthecountryhavebeenclosedforpublichealthreasons,withnocurrentlyestablisheddate to resume instruction. In most cases, the only alternative to provide students with instruction will be through virtual means. For somestudents,however,itwillbeimpossibletoimplementtheIEPwithfidelityduetotheinabilitytointeractphysicallywiththestudent.Serviceswillresumeoncetheemergencypasses,howeverschooldistrictsmustnotbeheldliableundertheproceduraldueprocessprotectionsprovidedbytheAct.Accordingly, we ask that the Secretary be given the authority to waive the due process procedures under 20 USC 1415 under very limitedcircumstancesandholdthat,pursuantto20U.S.C.§1415(f)(E)(ii),anyfailuretoprovidein-personinstructionpursuanttoastudent’sIEPduringthetimeof thenationalemergencybeameretechnicalcontraventionof the IDEAandnotsubject tothedueprocessproceduresprovidedforundertheAct.Inaddition,weaskthattheSecretarybegiventheauthoritytoholdthatalltimelinesundertheActbewaivedduringthetimeswhereschoolsareclosedandphysicalcontactwithstudentsisprohibitedunderfederal,stateorlocalorderandalsobecomputedthereafteronlyinaccordancewiththedefinitionof“schoolday”duringthetimeofthenationalemergency.Thesedefinitionsaresetforthunder34C.F.R.§300.11(a)Daymeanscalendardayunlessotherwiseindicatedasbusinessdayorschoolday.(b)BusinessdaymeansMondaythroughFriday,exceptforFederalandStateholidays(unlessholidaysarespecificallyincludedinthedesignationofbusinessday,asin§300.148(d)(1)(ii)).(c)
(1)Schooldaymeansanyday,includingapartialdaythatchildrenareinattendanceatschoolforinstructionalpurposes.(2)Schooldayhasthesamemeaningforallchildreninschool,includingchildrenwithandwithoutdisabilities.
(Authority:20U.S.C.1221e-3)
1 R.E. v. N.Y.C. Dept. of Educ., 694 F.3d, 167, 190 (2d. Cir. 2012) see also A.D., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 38757, at *17; E.F., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 117143 at * 36.
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APPENDIXB
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO ADDRESS
HURRICANES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA ACT, 2006 P.L. 109-148
(Referred to as the bill”
Sections relevant to IDEA waivers follow:
Subtitle C—Education and Related Programs Hurricane Relief
SEC. 301. AGREEMENTS TO EXTEND CERTAIN DEADLINES OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Education may enter into an agreement described in subsection (b) with an eligible entity to extend certain deadlines under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) related to providing special education and related services, including early intervention services, to individuals adversely affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster.
(b) TERMS OF AGREEMENTS.—An agreement referred to in subsection (a) is an agreement with an eligible entity made in accordance with subsection (e) that may extend the applicable deadlines under one or more of the following sections:
(1) Section 611(e)(3)(C)(ii) of such Act, by extending up to an additional 60 days the 90 day deadline for developing a State plan for the high cost fund.
(2) Section 612(a)(15)(C) of such Act, by extending up to an additional 60 days the deadline for submission of the annual report to the Secretary of Education and the public regarding the progress of the State and of children with disabilities in the State.
(3) Section 612(a)(16)(D) of such Act, by extending up to an additional 60 days the deadline for making available reports regarding the participation in assessments and the performance on such assessments of children with disabilities.
(4) Section 614(a)(1)(C)(i)(I) of such Act, by extending up to an additional 30 days the 60 day deadline for the initial evaluation to determine whether a child is a child with a disability for purposes of the provision of special education and related services to such child.
(5) Section 616(b)(1)(A) of such Act, by extending up to an additional 60 days the deadline for finalization of the State performance plan.
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(6) Section 641(e)(1)(D) of such Act, by extending up to an additional 60 days the deadline for submission to the Governor of a State and the Secretary of Education of the report on the status of early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families operated within the State.
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(1) as permitting the waiver of—
(A) any applicable Federal civil rights law;
(B) any student or family privacy protections, including provisions requiring parental consent for evaluations and services;
(C) any procedural safeguards required under section 615 or section 639 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; or
(D) any requirements not specified in subsection (b) of this section; or
(2) as removing the obligation of the eligible entity to provide a child with a disability or an infant or toddler with a disability and their families—
(A) a free appropriate public education under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; or
(B) early intervention services under part C of such Act.
(d) DURATION OF AGREEMENT.—An agreement under this section shall terminate at the conclusion of the 2005–2006 academic year.
(e) REQUEST TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT.—To enter into an agreement under this section, an eligible entity shall submit a request to the Secretary of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.