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As we await announcement of the State’s new Director of Special Education many families of special education and transition age students are voicing concern about the quality of instruction that will be delivered through distance learning. The new Special Education Director is supposed to be announced next week and we are hopeful that the concerns of parents and students related to distance learning and learning loss will be a top priority. Without a doubt this is an exceptionally challenging time for students, families, teachers and instructional aides to figure out how to engage in a different learning format, style, routine, and mode of service delivery while making sure the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is being met and maintained.
As we begin the 2020-21 school year there have been several changes to the Education Code that include changes to requirements set forth in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Distance Learning, Learning Continuity and Attendance Plans, and Mitigating Learning Loss.
Among the changes, Education Code (section 56345) was recently amended to require that IEPs include a description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions, in which instruction or services, or both, cannot be provided to the pupil either at the school or in person for more than 10 school days. This description must be included in the development of each initial IEP or addressed during the regularly scheduled revision of an IEP, and must take public health orders into account. The California Department of Education has posted a list of frequently asked questions related to special education and distance learning, webinars, additional instruction related resources and information about changes to the Education Codes: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/dl/distlearningfaqs.asp
The Arc/UCP CA Collaboration looks forward to meeting the new Director of Special Education and working together to ensure the best possible outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in California.