The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is grateful to the Department of Education (ED) for releasing a Supplemental Factsheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities. The factsheet provides clarification to initial guidance released by ED on educating students with disabilities in response to school closures because of COVID-19.
Following the release of the initial guidance, NDRN heard a number of school districts were choosing not to provide education to any students out of fear of violating the rights of students with disabilities. Secretary Betsy DeVos expressed agreement in a press release, “It was extremely disappointing to hear that some school districts were using information from the Department of Education as an excuse not to educate kids… We need schools to educate all students out of principle, rather than educate no students out of fear.” She continued, “Nothing issued by this Department should in any way prevent any school from offering educational programs through distance instruction.”
