Yesterday Governor Inslee extended the school closures to the rest of the 2019-20 school year, however, he also expressly allowed school districts to provide special education services on-site in-person, so long as social distancing and hygiene are allowed:

"FURTHERMORE, if a public school or private school determines that the provision of in- person educational services on the premises of a school facility is essential and necessary under state or federal law, nothing in this order precludes the school from providing the services on site. However, schools are prohibited from providing these essential and necessary services unless state Department of Health guidelines for social distancing and proper hygiene practices are followed at all times."

This order is consistent with DOH guidelines for the childcare that's already being provided in school buildings.

This morning we sought clarification from OSPI whether there are any waivers being considered around IDEA requirements and OSPI confirmed there are no waivers for IDEA.  The waivers being considered are around ESSA timelines and use of state assessments.

Social distancing will have to be observed in the same way that is currently being observed by childcare providers on public school campuses. And given schools are already providing childcare, then we can't see why can't they provide IEP services that don't require regular education participation to implement. Even if goals are written in a way that require implementation in general education setting, inclusion can be implemented using neurotypical students in school buildings for socialization, while observing social distancing.  

Please spread the word and let us know how your school district is  allowing limited use of school buildings for students with disabilities.