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Portal of phonics-based online reading instruction materials

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Portal of phonics-based online reading instruction materials

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Flyleaf Publishing - Online Materials Portal

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This portal is offered as a free resource to help facilitate online reading instruction and learning during this challenging time of school closures due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

There are two areas of the site, one for Students and one for Instructors. Materials are organized by our Phonics Scope and Sequence, and can be quickly navigated using the Menu at the top of the page.

If you have questions, please contact us. We hope that the availability of these materials brings some relief and pleasure during this challenging time.

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Home - Flyleaf Publishing - Online Materials Portal

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Online Materials Portal This portal is offered as a free resource to help facilitate online reading instruction and learning during this challenging time of school closures due to the Coronavirus outbreak. There are two areas of the site, one for Students and one for Instructors.

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An app for IDing emotions for kids with complex communication needs (analyzes facial features so you can tell if they are smiling/frowning remotely)

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This doesn't read black faces... apparently I have a disgusted face all the time. These companies really need to have diverse research done before releasing to public. Come on it's 2019 already, there are other faces than whites.

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‎AffdexMe demonstrates the use of Affectiva's Affdex Software Developer Kit (SDK), which lets developers emotion-enable their apps and digital experiences. The app analyzes and respond to facial expressions of emotion in real time using the built-in camera on your iOS device. To use, simply start th...

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Widen Open Spaces Collection of SPED Resources

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Widen Open Spaces Collection of SPED Resources

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Schools are closed. Minds are wide open.

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FREE 90 day trial of web-based versions of core curriculum (ERSB, Math Skills Builder, ELSB, Access ELA)

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Resources on this page are provided by educators and families from around the world. We are collaborating to support the needs of students with significant disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These materials are open source and may be adapted to fit your child or student's need. They may not be used for purchase.

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Resources on this page are provided by educators and families from around the world. We are collaborating to support the needs of students with significant disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These materials are open source and may be adapted to fit your child or student's need. They may not be used for purchase.

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YouTube Channel with full lessons for elementary students with moderate disabilities 

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YouTube Channel with full lessons for elementary students with moderate disabilities 

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Includes lessons from the ELSB, Building with Stories, Early Numeracy, and Social/Emotional Lessons

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Lessons for children I love. If you questions, please email me at trwilliams@mcps.k12.mt.us.

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A collection of resources from NC Dept of Public Instruction

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A collection of resources from NC Dept of Public Instruction

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Teacher Educator - special education, STEM, simulation

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Communication Boards that can printed or mailed home

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Communication Boards that can printed or mailed home

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Patient-Provider Communication Network - Communication is the...

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Welcome to the Patient Provider Communication Website NOTE: The company Patient Provider Communications, Inc. is found at www.patientprovidercommunications.com. Vidatak board helps patient on a...

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Practical Access Podcast: Episode on Accessibility

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Practical Access Podcast: Episode on Accessibility

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Episode 5: Supporting students with significant needs in online environments

Photo by Julie Molliver on Unsplash

In this episode UCF Professors Drs. Rebecca Hines and Lisa Dieker share practical ideas to consider for students who have significant disabilities in an online world. They provide specific ideas to consider for students with significant needs and how to use the resources of multiple adults of found in the traditional classroom to support these students.

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Episode 5: Supporting students with significant needs in online environments - Practical Access Podcast

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In this episode UCF Professors Drs. Rebecca Hines and Lisa Dieker share practical ideas to consider for students who have significant disabilities in an online world. They provide specific ideas to consider for students with significant needs and how to use the resources of multiple adults of fo...

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This is a general education resource and is a computer simulation game for civics lessons.

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In this new Private i History Detectives unit, Elementary students analyze primary sources to discover how Constitutional Amendments attempted to address slavery's wrongs, how the courts challenged unfair laws, and how individuals and groups fought for civil rights.

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In this new Private i History Detectives unit, Elementary students analyze primary sources to discover how Constitutional Amendments attempted to address slavery's wrongs, how the courts challenged unfair laws, and how individuals and groups fought for civil rights.

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CEC Webinar on Online Instruction and SPED

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CEC Webinar on Online Instruction and SPED

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Teaching Special Education Online During COVID-19

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A tip sheet collection housed at CPIR Developed collaboratively by six OSEP-funded technical assistance centers April 2020 The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is honored to serve as the host for this collection of tip sheets on planning for and participating in virtual meetings, including those related to a student's IEP ( Individualized Education Program).

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Supporting IEPs during Distance Learning

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As schools transition to distance learning, maintaining commitment to diverse learners needs remains important. How do educators support IEPs during distance learning? What are some tools and strategies to help overcome challenges? Join Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact, and a panel of special education experts as they share ideas around this topic.

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Blog about handling IEPs during COVID-19

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Blog about handling IEPs during COVID-19

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The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act outlines specific requirements for identifying and educating children with disabilities, but the coronavirus crisis has sparked fierce debate over how adaptable the law is to a world where online education may be the only option.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has instructed school districts that federal law should not be used as a cover to prevent them from offering online learning to students with disabilities. However, experts say, that guidance and fact sheets from the federal government have offered little direction on the topic beyond encouraging parents, educators, and administrators to collaborate creatively-and many school districts have struggled to respond.

For some educators, the biggest challenge has been determining how to handle students' Individualized Education Program, the carefully constructed plans designed to meet the educational needs of children with learning and physical disabilities in an online learning environment. More than 7 million children in U.S. schools have IEPs, leaving no room for a one-size-fits-all resolution.

Education Week interviewed three experts-a special education attorney, an attorney who represents school districts in special education disputes, and a professor who studied special education law for decades-to find out what advice they have on handling IEPs during the global pandemic.

During the discussions, three common themes emerged. Schools should: provide services to students as soon as possible; worry more about making progress than following the letter of the law; and understand that much of federal law wasn't written with online education in mind.

Here's a look at what the experts had to say. Their statements have been edited for length and clarity:
Focus on Families
Selene Almazan, legal director, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), and an attorney in private practice who represents families and children in special education matters in Maryland. Almazan compiled a fact sheet to help families of children with disabilities understand what rights they have during the extended school closures.

"It is an unprecedented time. We are encouraging families to try to work with schools and school systems to figure out what's going to be best for students through distance learning and how they're going to access it.

One of the benefits of not having the IEP meeting [as scheduled] would be that it's not an opportunity for a school district to take services away from students during this time.

The key is that school systems need to offer something to all students. We want cooperation and we know what schools needs to offer equitable access if they're offering distance learning to everybody else. They have to include students with disabilities in that mix as well.

We are encouraging families to document where their child is as far as skill level, either through video or through data sheets, that kind of stuff so that when the pandemic closures are over they can see whether or not there's been any regression in skills for students, whether that's academics or behaviorally or anything related to occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language.

Families just want to know what they're going to receive and when they're going to receive it and what it's going to look like.

We want cooperation [but parents] should not be agreeing to this being the status quo for carrying over into next year to the 2020-21 school year. So, they should not agree to that unless schools are still closed. But they should agree to this probably until the end of their academic year."
'IDEA Wasn't Written for This'
Julie Weatherly, attorney and founder of Resolutions in Special Education (RISE). Weatherly represents school districts in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia as general counsel and in special education disputes and she said special education directors across the country are "pretty frenetic" and focused on following the letter of the law of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

"So, I've tried to calm them, to say, 'Let's don't worry about that. Collaborate with parents, reach informal agreements, document those agreements, and then move on to 'What can I do right now? What can we do right now for your child?' What I keep telling everybody is IDEA wasn't written for this. It didn't contemplate this.

The anxiety is probably going to die down a little bit once services get started. But everybody's so worried about the legal procedural requirements that relate to IEP team meetings and evaluation timelines, just all of those.

For the most part, the IEP itself is not going to be able to be implemented as written, but rather than amend those documents or anything like that, I think most parents would be amenable to agreeing that, 'Hey, let's keep that intact for now. But what are we going to do in the meantime?'

Think about preparing an outline of distance learning services and get parent input because basically what's happened is parents have now turned into the teachers.

Pump your energy and your concern into getting, as best you can, some services to help the families and to help the children [so they don't] experience significant regression in their skills. Be thoughtful about what are the critical priority skills that we would want to focus on so the students don't get so far behind that the future will be harder.

We may be coloring outside the lines and we'll ask for forgiveness later. These procedural requirements were all written in a world that wasn't in a national, or worldwide, safety and health emergency."
Work Together, Fight Later
Perry Zirkel, professor emeritus, Lehigh University College of Education. Zirkel, who writes a blog that explores the intersection of special education and law, says a fear of being sued has some districts focusing on the wrong things.

A lot of the attorneys and administrators and teachers, because of the emotions and the frustrations and the procedural prescriptions of the IDEA, are focused on, 'Oh, how am I going to get parent consent?' or 'Did I document everything exactly?' or 'Did I get all my evaluations done on time?'

Don't spend a lot of time on all these procedural issues like how quickly you update the [IEP] goals, what notices do you have to send to parents for their consent. We're in an unprecedented situation with limited resources, do the best you can on the substantive issue, which is: 'How do I get as many services to kids, whether it's occupational therapy or something else; how can I get the most services to kids to be as effective as I can?'

The ultimate priority is on making good-faith, reasonable efforts to deliver services to eligible children under the IDEA. And whatever else you can do procedurally is a bonus. It's gravy.

Parents should put their priority on the same thing, which is, how do I collaborate with this district in good faith to try to get the most services to my kid. Good faith, collaboration, creativity; it's the same advice I'm giving to districts. And if you give them both the same advice, then hopefully [students get the services they need].

Because of this unprecedented situation where we know that we cannot do everything that we would have done otherwise, the main priority should be on 'How can we be collaborative and creative and in good faith to mutually to do this? We'll fight later.'"
Related Reading 'Are We Going to Get Ourselves in Trouble?' Districts Struggle With Special Education Fierce Debate as DeVos Weighs Schools Obligations to Students With Disabilities Amid Confusion, Feds Seek to Clarify Online Learning for Special Education As Schools Close to Coronavirus, Special Educators Turn to Tele-Therapy

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How to Handle IEPs During the Coronavirus Crisis? Some Expert Advice

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The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act outlines specific requirements for identifying and educating children with disabilities, but the coronavirus crisis has sparked fierce debate over how adaptable the law is to a world where online education may be the only option. U.S.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Web Page

Providing In-Person Specialized Supports and Services to Students with Disabilities

New Guidance (Posted 30-Sept-2020)
Is a Local Educational Agency (LEA) permitted to offer in-person supports and services to small groups of students with disabilities? Does the CDPH guidance related to cohorts apply to students age 18-22 participating in post-secondary programs that are provided through the K-12 school setting?
Yes. LEAs may serve small cohorts of students with disabilities ages 18-22 consistent with the CDPH guidance.
Does an LEA need to have received an elementary school waiver through the local public health office before offering in-person supports and services to small groups, consistent with the CDPH guidance related to cohorts?
No. The August 25, 2020 CDPH FAQ states "[t]he Cohorting Guidance applies to schools that cannot reopen for in-person instruction pursuant to the July 17 Framework, including elementary schools in those jurisdictions that have not received an elementary school waiver through the local public health office. Under these circumstances, school officials should develop and implement plans in collaboration with local health officials and school-based staff (including, if applicable, organized labor), but are not required to receive express approval from the local health department. They are, however, required to adhere to any applicable, more restrictive local public health directive. "

Distance Learning
Are there new requirements related to Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and distance learning?
Yes. On June 29, 2020, Governor Newsom signed the 2020 Budget Act and accompanying budget-implementing legislation, including Senate Bill (SB) 98 (Chapter 24, Statutes of 2020). SB 98 included notable changes related to special education and distance learning. The CDE posted related guidance on the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/om071520.asp.

SB 98, Section 66, amended Section 56345 of the Education Code ( EC) to require that Individualized Education Programs (IEP) 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 (e.g., annual IEP), and must take public health orders into account.
Where can I find more information about the requirements for distance learning and instructional time?
The CDE has established a webpage dedicated to providing guidance and resources for teachers and families in K-12 schools regarding high quality distance learning. The CDE's distance learning webpage can be accessed on the CDE's website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/dl/index.asp

In addition, the CDE has developed a frequently asked questions (FAQ) webpage addressing principal apportionment, instructional time, attendance accounting, attendance reporting and the Form J-13A for fiscal year (FY) 2020-21. The FAQ can be accessed on the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/pafaqs.asp.
Do the requirements for distance learning and instructional minutes in the FY 2020-21 school year impact Specialized Academic Instruction on a student's IEP?
Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) in a student's IEP (including minutes), like all aspects of the IEP, is determined by the IEP team. SAI is an instructional service and individualized based on student need. LEAs are required to implement IEPs.

Description of How the IEP Will be Provided Under Emergency Conditions
What are considered "emergency conditions"?
EC 46392 outlines what constitutes "emergency conditions" and includes: fire, flood, impassable roads, epidemic, earthquake, the imminence of a major safety hazard as determined by the local law enforcement agency, a strike involving transportation services to pupils provided by a non-school entity, and an order provided for in EC 41422.
Is the emergency conditions description part of the IEP or a separate document?
The description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions must be part of the IEP. SB 98 amended section 56345 of California Education Code, and added the requirement that an IEP include a description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions, effective July 1, 2020. It applies to the development of an initial IEP or the next regularly scheduled revision of the IEP (i.e. annual IEP) ( EC Section 56345(a)(9)(B)). Because all students must have an annual IEP, pursuant 34 C.F.R. 300.324(b)(1), all IEPs in the state should include this description by June 30, 2021.
Must the parent or student consent to the description required by EC 56345(a)(9)?
Yes. As a required component of the IEP, the description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions must be adopted by the IEP team at an IEP team meeting or through an amendment to the IEP. Parents/students are required members of the IEP team and thus will be involved in the development of this description through the IEP process. The LEA must obtain consent to the IEP consistent with applicable state and federal law.
How does the IEP requirement for a description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions impact the offer of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?
The description of the means by which an IEP will be provided under emergency conditions is an element of the overall offer of FAPE, and should help an LEA to plan for how to address the needs of an individual student in an emergency.
What if the description of the means by which an IEP will be provided under emergency conditions inadequately addresses or anticipates the needs of the student in the event of an emergency?
IEP teams are required to meet when a student demonstrates a lack of expected progress (34 C.F.R. 300.324 (b)(1)(ii)). Additionally, the parent or the teacher may request an IEP meeting at any time ( EC 56343) to discuss and address any concerns with student access including a lack of resources, or ineffectiveness of the means by which the IEP is being provided under emergency conditions.

Teachers and parents are encouraged to work together to ensure that a student is able to access instruction and that the delivery of instruction is effective. The student's IEP can be changed or amended at any time with agreement from both the parents and the LEA.
Does an LEA need to wait 10 days before implementing the description of how the IEP will be implemented under emergency conditions IEP?
No. If the LEA has good reason to believe that, due to emergency conditions as described in EC 46392, instruction or services, or both, cannot be provided to the pupil either at the school or in person for more than 10 school days, the LEA may implement the provisions outlined in the description before 10 school days have elapsed.
Should the description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions required by EC 56345(a)(9) include provisions for how the LEA will deliver feedback and information to parents regarding a student's learning progress during the emergency closure?
While EC 56345(a)(9) does not specifically require including plans for delivering feedback and information regarding a student's progress, communication and collaboration between the local educational agency (LEA) and parent are vital to ensure educational progress. In addition, EC Section 43504(g) requires that, during the 20-21 school year, each school shall regularly communicate with parents and guardians regarding a pupil's academic progress.

Special Education Assessments
Must LEAs continue to conduct special education assessments while providing distance learning?
Yes. The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has not waived the requirement for LEAs to conduct a full and individual initial evaluation for a student suspected of having a disability, nor has the USDOE waived requirements relating to triennial assessments. Additionally, 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.101(b) and 300.124(b) are still in effect and require that an IEP or individual family service plan (IFSP) is developed by the third birthday of a child participating in Part C programs and who will participate in Part B preschool-age programs. The USDOE has encouraged LEAs to work with parents to reach mutually agreeable extensions of time, as appropriate, if the LEA or parent feels additional time is needed.
Can special education assessments be conducted in-person at this time?
Yes. Current guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the CDE does not expressly prohibit in-person assessments. Further, the CDPH's "Cohort" Guidance of August 25, 2020 permits in-person instruction and services, including assessments, if done in compliance with the Guidance, or if an elementary school has received a waiver of the school closure mandate from its local public health officer in accordance with the July 17, 2020 Framework for re-opening schools.

As stated in the CDE's April 9 2020 updated special education guidance ( https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/specialedcovid19guidance.asp), any in-person services or supports should "seek to comply with federal, state, and local health official's guidance related to physical distancing, with the goal of keeping students, teachers and service providers safe and healthy as the primary consideration". Each LEA will need to monitor current health conditions and determine appropriate measures regarding in-person assessments. Some assessments, or components of assessments, may be conducted virtually, and, in some cases, existing data may be used. As with all assessments, the LEA can work together with parents to determine which assessments are necessary and appropriate in order to evaluate eligibility for special education services.
Are the special education timeline waiver provisions included in Section 8 of Senate Bill 117 (Chapter 3, Statutes of 2020) still in place?
No. On September 18, 2020, the Governor approved Senate Bill (SB) 820 (Chapter 110, Statutes of 2020). Section 56 of SB 820 rendered SB 117, Section 8 inoperative on July 1, 2020. LEAs must adhere to all state and federal special education timelines, including those related to assessments and access to educational records.

Supporting Social-Emotional Wellness
If students are unable to meaningfully engage in distance learning due to social-emotional and/or mental health needs, what support should the LEA provide? What are the state and federal mandates?
Students with disabilities are required to have educational programs that are designed to meet their specific individual needs. IEP teams are required to monitor students for educational progress and revise the IEP for any lack of expected progress toward the student's annual goals and in the general education curriculum (34 C.F.R 300.324 (b)(1)(ii)). Additionally, the IEP team for a student with disabilities whose behavior impedes learning is required to consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports (34 C.F.R 300.324 (a)(2)(i)).

In addition, EC 43503 (b) requires that distance learning include several components, including:

(3) Academic and other supports designed to address the needs of pupils who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as . . . pupils with exceptional needs . . .

(4) Special education, related services, and any other services required by a pupil's individualized education program pursuant to Section 56341, including the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 56345, with accommodations necessary to ensure that individualized education program can be executed in a distance learning environment.

Further, an LEA's learning continuity and attendance plan required for the 20-21 school year must outline what additional supports will be provided for pupils with exceptional needs served across the full continuum of placements during the period in which distance learning is provided (EC 43509(a)(1)(A), (e), (f)(1)(B)(vi)).
What is the LEA's responsibility to provide educationally related mental health services (ERMHS) services in the IEP while the LEA is providing distance learning?
Supporting social-emotional and mental health needs of students is critical during this time. EC 43503 (b)(4) requires that distance learning include "special education, related services, and any other services required by a pupil's individualized education program pursuant to Section 56341, including the requirements of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 56345, with accommodations necessary to ensure that individualized education program can be executed in a distance learning environment." Therefore, the LEA should ensure that the IEP, including ERMHS when required by the IEP, can be executed in a distance learning environment. With that said, LEA's may not be able to provide all services in the same manner that they are typically provided during this COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the United States Department of Education (USDOE) Office of Special Education Program's (OSEP) March 21, 2020 guidance, "[T]hese exceptional circumstances may affect how all educational and related services and supports are provided . . . the provision of [free and appropriate public education (FAPE)] may include, as appropriate, special education and related services provided through distance instruction provided virtually, online, or telephonically . . . schools may not be able to provide all services in the same manner that they are typically provided . . . federal disability law allows for flexibility in determining how to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. The determination of how FAPE is to be provided may need to be different in this time of unprecedented national emergency." To review OSEP's March 21, 2020 guidance titled " Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities", visit the USDOE website at https://bit.ly/2VdoJn6.

Updated Resources
Has the USDOE issued additional guidance since April 2020? Are there updated resources to support parents, students, families, and LEAs during this time?

Highlighting and sharing best practices from LEAs and educators across the state

Discussing critical parent partnerships and outlining resources for parents of students with disabilities

Addressing critical transitions in special education via distance learning: preschool to K-12 and post-secondary transition

Addressing the behavioral and mental health needs of students

Highlighting strategies to serve students with disabilities that have unique, extensive support needs

The CDE has also been working with Special Education Local Plan Area leads within the state System of Support to develop targeted resources for distance learning. Those resources can be accessed on the following websites:

Earlier Guidance

09-Apr-2020

The United States is currently experiencing a pandemic emergency due to the threat of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On March 13, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-26-20 requiring the California Department of Education (CDE) to issue guidance on several topics, including ensuring students with disabilities (SWD) receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with their individualized education program (IEP) and meeting other procedural requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and California law. Initial guidance on services to students with disabilities was provided on March 20, 2020.

The following guidance provides additional information based on questions received by the CDE in recent weeks. We will continue to update the guidance on this web page as necessary in response to any guidance from the U.S. Department of Education or waivers of any laws or regulations pertaining to special education services.

1. Must all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) be amended to reflect the change to distance learning?

No, not all IEPs will need to be amended. In response to the Governor's Executive Order, schools are physically closed, and local educational agencies (LEAs) are to provide educational services through alternative options such as distance learning. Under this unique circumstance, in the CDE's view it is not necessary for an LEA to convene an IEP team meeting, or propose an IEP amendment without a team meeting, for every student, solely for the purpose of discussing the need to provide services away from school, because that change must necessarily occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, in the CDE's view, it is not necessary for an LEA to obtain the parent's written consent to provide previously agreed-upon services, away from school. The IEP that was in effect at the time of physical school closure remains in effect, and LEAs should, to the greatest extent possible, continue to provide the services called for in those IEPs in alternative ways.

According to the United States Department of Education (USDOE) Office of Special Education Program's (OSEP) March 21, 2020 guidance, "[T]hese exceptional circumstances may affect how all educational and related services and supports are provided . . . the provision of [free and appropriate public education (FAPE)] may include, as appropriate, special education and related services provided through distance instruction provided virtually, online, or telephonically . . . schools may not be able to provide all services in the same manner that they are typically provided . . . federal disability law allows for flexibility in determining how to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. The determination of how FAPE is to be provided may need to be different in this time of unprecedented national emergency." To review OSEP's March 21, 2020 guidance titled " Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities", visit the USDOE website at https://bit.ly/2VdoJn6.

However, there may be instances when amending the IEP to reflect the change to distance learning might be necessary and/or appropriate. LEAs may convene an IEP team meeting, or propose an IEP amendment without a team meeting, particularly where it is deemed necessary to address unique circumstances related to alternative service delivery. ( See 20 USC 1414 (d)(4)(A); 20 USC 1414 (d)(3)(D); 34 C.F.R. § 300.324.) Parents too may request an IEP meeting or propose an IEP amendment, pursuant to Education Code § 56343, subdivision (c). Some LEAs and parents have agreed to amend the IEP by incorporating a distance learning plan outlining the special education and related services being provided to the student during the temporary, emergency situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At this time, LEAs should necessarily be focused on serving each and every student. OSEP's March 21, 2020 guidance clarifies that "ensuring compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . . . should not prevent any school from offering educational programs through distance instruction." The CDE recognizes that due to the emergency situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it will take time for LEAs to determine their continuum of services during school site closures and provide information to parents and students about the services being offered. As such, communication and collaboration are vital. It is recommended that LEAs maintain regular communication with parents of students with disabilities about their efforts to transition to distance learning, plans to ensure access for all students, and to identify and address any immediate support needs when feasible.

2. Is an LEA precluded from providing services to students with disabilities in-person or in the home for the purpose of supporting the student in accessing the alternative options for learning being offered?

No. In some exceptional situations, LEAs may need to provide certain supports and services to individual students in-person in order to maintain students' mental/physical health and safety for the purpose of supporting the student in accessing the alternative options for learning being offered (e.g. distance learning). With that said, alternative service delivery options should seek to comply with federal, state, and local health official's guidance related to physical distancing, with the goal of keeping students, teachers and service providers safe and healthy as the primary consideration.

In such cases, service providers may be considered "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers" under Executive Order N-33-20. To review the list of "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers", see the California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website at https://covid19.ca.gov/img/EssentialCriticalInfrastructureWorkers.pdf.

For example, the list of essential workers in the healthcare/public health sector includes:

3. I'm a parent of a student with a disability and I have questions about my child's IEP. Where can I go for information and support?

Questions about your student's IEP and educational program in light of school site closures and the COVID-19 pandemic should be discussed with your school or district. Schools across the state are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways, specific to the school's regional context. The CDE encourages parents to reach out to their school or district office to have a conversation about the impact of the pandemic on their student's education and collaborative ways to support the student during this time.

Parents of students with disabilities may also reach out to California's parent organizations offering support and resources to families of students with disabilities. Information on parent organizations can be accessed on the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/caprntorg.asp.

In addition, the Understood.org website is an example of numerous state and national organizations offering practical advice and strategies for parents and caregivers during this crisis. A link to COVID-19 resources for parents and families developed by Understood can be accessed on the Understood.org website at https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/coronavirus-latest-updates.

4. What should an LEA do if it has closed school sites due to COVID-19 and is unable to meet the obligation to have an IEP or an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) in effect for a child transitioning from Part C to Part B no later than the child's third birthday?

34 C.F.R. §§ 300.101(b) and 300.124(b) require that an IEP or IFSP is developed and is being implemented by the third birthday of a child participating in Part C programs and who will participate in Part B preschool programs. The U.S. Department of Education has not waived or exempted this requirement. Either an IEP or IFSP must be developed and implemented by the child's third birthday. To meet this obligation, teams may conduct meetings virtually via telephone, videoconference, or other means.

5. If IEP teams meet virtually while school sites are closed due to COVID-19, how should parent consent be obtained? Is verbal consent sufficient?

34 C.F.R. § 300.9(b) states that "consent" means in part ". . .the parent understands and agrees in writing. . .". Thus, verbal consent alone is not sufficient. However, the IDEA does not specify how written consent must be obtained. Therefore, LEAs that wish to utilize electronic or digital signatures for consent may do so if they choose. Options for electronic signatures or digital signatures could include but are not limited to use of applications such as HelloSign, DocuSign, Adobe Sign, as well as scanned copies or photographs of signed signature pages. For record keeping purposes, it is recommended that LEAs maintain documentation as proof of consent, including printed or mailed copies of signed documents.
For more information on general electronic signature requirements for public agencies in California, please refer to Government Code § 16.5, and Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, §§ 22000 et seq.

March 20, 2020

The United States is currently experiencing a pandemic emergency due to the threat of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On March 13, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-26-20 ensuring State funding for Local Educational Agencies (LEA) in the event of physical closure due to the threat of COVID-19. The Executive Order requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to issue guidance on several topics, including ensuring students with disabilities (SWD) receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with their individualized education program (IEP) and meeting other procedural requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and California law.

At this time, the federal government has not waived the federal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). To review guidance from the USDOE titled " Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak," visit the USDOE website at https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-covid-19-03-12-2020.pdf. The CDE and the California State Board of Education (SBE) are working with the United States Department of Education (USDOE) to determine what flexibilities or waivers may be issued in light of the extraordinary circumstances. Until and unless USDOE ultimately provides flexibilities under federal law, LEAs should do their best in adhering to IDEA requirements, including federally mandated timelines, to the maximum extent possible. LEAs are encouraged to consider ways to use distance technology to meet these obligations. However, the CDE acknowledges the complex, unprecedented challenges LEAs are experiencing from the threat of COVID-19. As such, the CDE is committed to a reasonable approach to compliance monitoring that accounts for the exceptional circumstances facing the state.

The CDE appreciates the difficult decisions that LEAs and families are faced with as we grapple with this unprecedented crisis. The CDE has formed a workgroup of special education practitioners and other experts to help brainstorm best practices that we plan to share in the coming weeks. In addition, resources for addressing the needs of students with disabilities are provided in this guidance and in the CDE's guidance on distance learning at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/guidance.asp. We will update this guidance as necessary in response to any guidance from the U.S. Department of Education or waivers of any laws or regulations pertaining to special education services.

The following answers to frequently asked questions received by the CDE provides guidance on topics relevant to serving students with disabilities.

1. If an LEA offers distance learning for instructional delivery in lieu of regular classroom instruction during a school site closure for students, what is the obligation to implement the IEP for students with disabilities?

As a result of Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-26-20, schools will receive funding to continue delivering educational opportunities to students to the extent feasible through, among other options, distance learning and/or independent study. When an LEA continues to provide educational opportunities to the general student population during physical school site closures, the LEA must ensure that students with disabilities have equitable access to comparable opportunities, appropriately tailored to the individualized need of a student to ensure meaningful access, as determined through the IEP process to the extent feasible.

If the LEA can continue providing special education and related services as outlined in the IEP, or an agreed upon amendment to the existing IEP, through a distance learning model, they should do so. The LEA can also consider alternative service delivery options such as in-home service delivery, meeting with individual students at school sites, or other appropriate locations to deliver services. Further, LEAs are encouraged to work collaboratively with Nonpublic Schools and Agencies (NPS/As) to ensure continuity of services, including moving to virtual platforms for service delivery to the extent feasible and appropriate.

These alternative delivery options should seek to comply with federal, state, and local health official's guidance related to social distancing, with the goal of keeping students, teachers and service providers safe and healthy. Teachers and specialists should work collaboratively to ensure instruction is accessible for the student based on the student's individualized needs. Given the unprecedented situation created by the threat of COVID-19, exceptional circumstances may affect how a particular service is provided under a student's IEP. In such a situation, the IEP team will need to make individualized decisions regarding whether compensatory services are required when the regular provision of services resumes.

Further guidance on distance learning, including considerations for students with disabilities, can be accessed on the CDE website athttps://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/guidance.asp.

2. What is considered equitable access for students with disabilities?

When an LEA provides services to students during a school site closure, the LEA must provide equitable access to those services for students with disabilities, with services appropriately tailored to the individualized needs of students, to the greatest extent possible. When LEAs are providing instruction through a distance learning model to replace what would have been provided in the classroom, LEAs must create access to the instruction for students with disabilities, including planning for appropriate modifications or accommodations based on the individualized needs of each student and the differences created by the change in modality (e.g. virtual vs. classroom-based). Educational and support services provided should be commensurate with those identified in the IEP for each student to ensure educational benefit.

For example, LEAs may consider the use of accessible distance technology, instructional phone calls, and other curriculum-based activities that have been scaffolded based on student need. More information on accessibility and distance learning can be accessed on the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/appendix2.asp.

In some cases, it may be appropriate for LEAs to consider providing classroom-based instruction to small groups of students with disabilities that have extensive support needs, despite the fact that the school site has closed, consistent with federal, state, and local health directives related to COVID-19. Alternative service delivery options should seek to comply with federal, state, and local health official's guidance related to social distancing, with the goal of keeping students, teachers and service providers safe and healthy. There is no single service delivery method that will meet the needs of every student. Therefore, LEAs should consider employing a variety of service delivery options. The CDE has convened a work group of special educators to develop more specific guidance for operationalizing such strategies, including examples from California LEAs.

3. If distance learning is provided in some capacity but does not mirror the offer of FAPE in the IEP, will compensatory services be required once an LEA resumes the regular school session?

Once the regular school session resumes, LEAs should plan to make individualized determinations, in collaboration with the IEP team, regarding whether or not compensatory education and services may be needed for a student. Educational need can be measured by assessing whether or not the student continued making progress in the general education curriculum, or alternative course of study specified in their IEP, or toward meeting their individualized IEP goals and/or if any regression occurred during the period of school site closure.

4. Is the CDE encouraging continued utilization of and payment to Nonpublic Schools and Agencies (NPS/As)?

Yes. California NPS/As provide critical programs and related services to students with disabilities. LEAs should work collaboratively with NPS/As to ensure continuity of services, including moving to virtual platforms for service delivery to the extent feasible and appropriate. In an effort to ensure that the full continuum of placements and service delivery options remains available to students and LEAs subsequent to these unprecedented school site closures, CDE encourages LEAs to continue to use the services of NPS/As during school site closures, including distance learning options made available by NPS/As, so that NPS/As may continue to receive payment in accordance with pupils IEPs and the Master Contracts/Individual Service Agreements between LEAs and NPS/As.

5. When school sites are closed and no services or instruction are being provided for a period of time, can LEAs consider providing some special education services to some students? How should LEAs determine what services can or should be provided?

Yes. To be clear, CDE is not recommending this as an option. Consistent with Executive Order N-26-20, LEAs are continuing to receive ADA funding during school site closures so they will continue to provide services to all students, including students with disabilities. Should services be discontinued for a period of time, LEAs and IEP teams would be required to make an individualized determination as to whether compensatory services are needed once services resume.

At this uncertain time, it is imperative to keep the safety of students as the primary consideration for every decision made. As LEAs strive for equitable supports and services for students, in some exceptional situations, LEAs may need to provide certain supports and services to individual students with extensive support needs in order to maintain their mental/physical health and safety. The LEA may provide such services, even if the services are not available to all students with disabilities during a school site closure. As such, LEAs should make individualized determinations about the need to provide services to ensure the mental/physical health and safety of a student with a disability, even during a school site closure, if those services are able to be provided consistent with federal, state, and local health directives.

6. How will state and federal grants be impacted by school site closures (e.g. Alternative Dispute Resolution, Workability, Supporting Inclusive Practices, etc.)?

Federal and state grants already funded should continue with their program deliverables. In cases where grant deliverables cannot be provided, grantees should work with their CDE program and fiscal contact to determine next steps. If grants have scheduled in-person conferences, institutes, training, or workshops they should be rescheduled or delivered virtually. Any grant amendments or change in due date for expenditure reports will need to be done on a case by case basis due to the specific requirements of funding sources.

7. What is the impact of school site closures on special education monitoring timelines and processes?

At this time, the federal government has not waived the federal requirements under the IDEA. However, giventhe complex, unprecedented challenges LEAs are experiencing from the threat of COVID-19,the CDE is committed to a reasonable approach to compliance monitoring that accounts for the exceptional circumstances facing the state. If an LEA is having difficulty meeting timelines or has questions related to timelines, please contact your regional Intensive Monitoring Consultant. A list of regional consultants is available at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/fmtacncnt.asp.

8. What is the impact of school site closures on state complaints and due process hearings under the IDEA?

Regarding the state complaint process, in light of widespread school site closures and the inability of LEAs to meaningfully respond to complaint investigations, the CDE will be extending current complaint investigation timelines for good cause by the length of any school site closure during the stated emergency. It is anticipated that once LEAs reopen and are available to participate in the investigation process, the 60-day timeline will recommence and both the complainant and LEA will be notified. The CDE will continue to receive complaints that allege violations of the IDEA and complainants will be notified of any delay that may impact the investigation.

Currently, California's system for due process hearings and mediation through the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) remains operational, although some processes and/or timelines may be impacted by widespread school site closures and in order to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local health directives related to COVID-19. Updated information on the impact of COVID-19 on special education due process hearings can be accessed on the OAH's website athttps://www.dgs.ca.gov/OAH/Case-Types/Special-Education/Resources/SE-Coronavirus-Update/#@ViewBag.JumpTo.

9. What is the impact on services to students with disabilities served by Part C of the IDEA?

For information related to the impact of the COVID-19 response on services to students with disabilities, ages 0 to 3, served under Part C of the IDEA, please visit the California Department of Developmental Services website athttps://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/

In addition, IDEA Part C and COVID-19 are addressed in guidance from the USDOE's Office of Special Education Programs, which can be accessed on the USDOE website at https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-covid-19-03-12-2020.pdf.

10. Where can I find more guidance and resources related to serving students with disabilities, distance learning, and online accessibility?

Questions: California Department of Education | 916-319-0800

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, March 29, 2022

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This is a great way to encourage social communication and check for understanding. There's a text reader feature students can use and they can easily record brief video responses to prompts you provide.

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We express ourselves in different ways. On Flip, you can use our simple and fun built-in camera to record your thoughts, add effects and share within your Flip group as video, audio only or text in your web browser or mobile app.

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Flip is a video discussion and sharing app, free from Microsoft.

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Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a video discussion and video sharing app, free from Microsoft, built for classrooms and beyond. Learn more.

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PE Resources (from Bree Jimenez and the DADD FB group)

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PE Resources (from Bree Jimenez and the DADD FB group)

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These can also be found as a subfolder in the DADD Online Portal, but I'm highlighting them here as well.

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Several program alumni are telling me this is what they're using as their digital classroom platform (at least for younger grades) because of all of the accessibility features and universal supports.

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Meaningful learning can happen anywhere. We're here to support students, teachers, and families with remote learning.

Unlock creative thinking for all students in any subject

Students explore a variety of powerful and intuitive tools (like draw+record, collage, video, and more!) to show what they know in the way that works best for them

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Understand strengths and areas for growth in real time so you can differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all your students

Engage families in conversation centered on student learning

Connect families to see student work and celebrate progress. Up to ten family members can stay in the loop using the Parent and Family app (iOS, Android) or on web

Give students a space for ownership and choice

Portfolios make it easy to give students choices. Empower reflection on learning over time and help students create something they're proud to share with others

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Meaningful learning can happen anywhere. We're here to support students, teachers, and families with remote learning. Students explore a variety of powerful and intuitive tools (like draw+record, collage, video, and more!)