Updated guidance (Question & Answer) is available through Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding provision of services to students with disabilities during school closures due to COVID-19.
This guidance is current as of March 24, 2020. Please refer to OSPI’s COVID-19 and Special Education COVID-19 webpages for the most up-to-date information.
School districts are encouraged by OSPI to communicate with parents of students with disabilities candidly; they are encouraged to look at their obligation, not just through the "equity" lens, but also though the "health and safety" lens and on a case by case basis. They must recognize that the health and safety of some students with disabilities can not be met by their parents at home during closures. School districts have to be prepared to provide special education in different ways, i.e. online learning is not going to be accessible to many students with autism and related disorders. They have to be prepared to offer the appropriate accommodations.
It's reasonable for you to expect that your student will get some services during the closure and will get compensatory education at the end of the school year, but that health and safety is of paramount importance.
If you're having trouble accessing specially designed instruction for your student during the school closure, communicate your concerns with your IEP team (in writing) as well as the Director of Special Education in your district. Be succinct about the ways your student is impacted by the loss of continuity in their education and school-related services during closures.
Examples might be:
· need behavior plans that provide needed continuity and consistency in daily structure;
· need occupational or physical or speech therapy and will face severe regression without services;
· depend on regular mental health services they access through school;
· rely on applied behavioral analysis that is accessed through school;
· utilize nursing services or other medical services through school;
· utilize extended school year to avoid significant regression in their individualized education plan;
· or you may have other examples.
This are very difficult times and the closure is frustrating for everyone especially the students who can't access their specially designed instruction and services through distance learning. We encourage you to work together with your districts during this very difficult time.
A series of social stories explaining school closures and Shelter In Place for school aged children and young adults is available to download from our Facebook page.
We're also offering our Blueprints to Special Education on Saturday March 28th via Zoom. We will continue to bring you the latest information as it becomes available.