Resources

Developing and Sustaining High Quality Special Education Infrastructure

Developing and Sustaining High Quality Special Education Infrastructures

Special education infrastructures provide a deliberate and efficient means for charter schools to realize economies of scale, pilot new practices, access philanthropic support, and connect with providers in order to build stronger special education programs. This report includes specific, actionable steps for these infrastructures to take.

In the House of Representatives Screenshot

The Center’s Statement on Proposed HEROES Act

The Center applauds the drafters of the HEROES Act for prioritizing education funding in this latest relief package and for ensuring that states receiving relief funds guarantee that the rights of students with disabilities remain intact.

Girl On A Computer

Statement on Senate Democrats’ Letter Supporting IDEA Funding

States need additional education funding now—and the Center applauds a new federal funding request from a group of Democratic senators led by Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire that would specifically provide additional funding for the provision special education during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boy Sitting In Front Of Computer

The Center Applauds the New Jersey DOE’s Guidance Banning Waivers

This week, the Center became aware that some New Jersey school districts were asking parents to sign away the rights of their children in order to access special education services during COVID-19 closures—an outrageous and illegal practice. We applaud the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for moving swiftly to block this violation of students’ civil rights.

Boy On A Tablet

The Center’s Response to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’s Recommendation Against IDEA Waivers During COVID-19

The Center applauds Secretary DeVos for recommending a very narrow set of waiver requests that do not infringe upon the key civil rights protections and rights to an education for students with disabilities contained in the IDEA. With so many schools and districts across the country embracing the challenge of educating all students, including those with disabilities, in these turbulent times, we believe her decision is the right one for students, schools, and communities.

Capitol Hill Building

Letter to Congress Regarding IDEA Waivers

On April 3, 2020, the Center submitted a letter to Congress urging against issuing any waivers under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act) through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and requesting that Congress consider additional support for schools.