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THREAD: Today, @KyDeptofEd released additional special education guidance for the reopening of schools.
Going to pull out some key pieces of info here
Going to pull out some key pieces of info here
First off, KDE reminds districts that they may owe students compensatory services if FAPE was denied during the transition to remote instruction in the spring.
NOTE: Parents should be aware that schools may use other terms when bringing this up at an ARC meeting.
NOTE: Parents should be aware that schools may use other terms when bringing this up at an ARC meeting.
Key to know: If your child is owed compensatory services from the spring, they must be delivered IN ADDITION TO whatever services your child deserves when school starts back -- whether that's in-person or remote.
Remember, this goes back to @BetsyDeVosED refusing to waive districts' special ed. legal requirements because of the pandemic.
"While COVID-19 may have caused some IEP services to cease, that does not change the obligation of the district to provide a FAPE to that student."
"While COVID-19 may have caused some IEP services to cease, that does not change the obligation of the district to provide a FAPE to that student."
also: THIS IS GOING TO COST A LOT.
If remote learning continues (cc: JCPS parents), ARCs must either 1. agree to comparable remote services or 2. acknowledge that it can't be done and make a plan for for to deliver compensatory services once in-person is possible again.
My big question for KDE has been:
Will compensatory services be calculated by the minute or qualitatively?
The answer: It's up to the ARC. (This will likely lead to some tense meetings, with parents wanting one thing and schools wanting the other.)
Will compensatory services be calculated by the minute or qualitatively?
The answer: It's up to the ARC. (This will likely lead to some tense meetings, with parents wanting one thing and schools wanting the other.)
And, it looks like KDE anticipates this, as well:
OK, moving on to a new topic.
Coming back in-person!
Coming back in-person!
For those teaching in severe/profound classrooms, basically prepare to look like an ER doctor all day.
And, if restraint is needed, looks like we're not taking the oxygen mask approach:
No (actual) community-based instruction 
Let's not go wild and crazy with LRE, please.
And ... ARCs can grant mask waivers, if needed.
Can't get enough special ed. info?
Read more here: https://education.ky.gov/comm/Documents/Reopening%20Considerations%20for%20Exceptional%20Learners%20and%20Preschool%20FINAL.pdf
And here: https://education.ky.gov/comm/Documents/COVID%20Guidance%20Comp.%20Ed_ESY%20FINAL.pdf
Read more here: https://education.ky.gov/comm/Documents/Reopening%20Considerations%20for%20Exceptional%20Learners%20and%20Preschool%20FINAL.pdf
And here: https://education.ky.gov/comm/Documents/COVID%20Guidance%20Comp.%20Ed_ESY%20FINAL.pdf
