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

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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.