Be informed…Two important sections of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that could affect the education & services of students with disabilities.
SEC. 4511. NATIONAL EMERGENCY EDUCATIONAL WAIVERS
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (B), a waiver approved by the Secretary of Education under this subsection may be for a period not to exceed 1 academic year.
(B) EXTENSION.—The Secretary of Education may extend the period described under subparagraph (A) if the State, State educational agency, local educational agency, Indian tribe, or institution of higher education demonstrates to the Secretary that extending the waiving of such requirements is necessary and appropriate consistent with subsection (a).
So by 4/27/20 this report has to be submitted.
(3) IDEA REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, with recommendations on any additional waivers the Secretary believes are necessary to be enacted into law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) to provide limited flexibility to States and local educational agencies to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities during the emergency involving Federal primary responsibility determined to exist by the President under the section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191(b)) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The CARES Act Includes a provision that directs the Secretary of Education to report back to Congress within 30 days on any waivers needed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). The bill also gives the Secretary broad waiver authority over the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and Carl D. Perkins education laws.
Tell Congress that we must help schools and families work together to find solutions that allow children to receive equitable access to an education and the services that support them without weakening or undoing all of their civil and educational rights.
We must not allow Congress to use the national crisis as a reason to justify opening up civil rights laws to harmful amendments in future bills.
Oppose waivers under IDEA and Section 504. The focus should remain on ensuring continuity of education and services.
Contact Your Elected Officials Now! NO WAIVERS
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