According to 2022 fiscal year data, 38 states, territories, and the District of Columbia were categorized as “needs assistance” with regard to implementing special education requirements and improving student outcomes for students ages 3-21 during the year evaluated or for two or more consecutive years. On June 21st, the U.S.…
Today, June 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s (USDE) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released three new resources with information for students, parents and families, and schools addressing the civil rights of students with sickle cell disease, epilepsy, and cancer. OCR issued these resources during a month that marks…
According to the US Department of Education's (USDE) Office of Civil Rights (OCR), the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) "exacerbated and contributed to the harm to students with disabilities" when it gave school districts pandemic-era guidance regarding compensatory services that was inconsistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of…
As reported by K-12 Dive, in order to improve compliance with federal guidelines, a new Minnesota state law limits how long special education teachers from alternative pathways can instruct by enacting stricter requirements to become a special education teacher in the state, including limits on those who pursue alternative pathways.…
On April 8, 2024, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a federal rule to ensure web content and mobile apps are accessible for people with disabilities. The update to regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were subsequently published on April 24th by the U.S. Department…
According to a K-12 Dive report, about 13% of students with disabilities participating in special education services in 2022-23 had autism. That’s an increase from 5% in 2008-09. The percentage of students identified with autism receiving K-12 special education services has been on a steady rise over the last decade…
The U.S. Departments of Education (USDE) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have jointly shared updated links to recent guidance. The links below will cover the topics of discipline provisions for students with disabilities as set forth in the Individuals with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), inclusion of…
On March 23, 2024, President Joe Biden signed the FY 2024 budget for the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and other agencies. This signing followed the March 22nd approval by the House and Senate. Under the approved budget, the USDE receives $79.1 billion for FY 2024, which is $500 million…
At a March 6th House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, hearing legislators debated the effectiveness and direction of the charter school movement. Points debated included the oversight of charter schools and their effectiveness as well as the importance of supporting traditional (brick-and-mortar) public schools. Also discussed was…
On February 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released four new resources today with information for students, parents and families, and schools addressing civil rights of students with disabilities, as well as a data snapshot about education access for students with disabilities drawn from…
