/special-education-law Special Education Law en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:30:00 GMT /teaching-learning/special-ed-policies-can-change-fast-districts-can-help-families-navigate-them/2024/07 States have raised the maximum age of eligibility for special education services. But policies often change quickly. Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:30:00 GMT /teaching-learning/special-ed-policies-can-change-fast-districts-can-help-families-navigate-them/2024/07 /teaching-learning/many-students-can-get-special-ed-until-age-22-what-districts-should-do/2024/06 School districts' responsibilities under federal special education law aren't always clear-cut. Thu, 27 Jun 2024 20:55:27 GMT /teaching-learning/many-students-can-get-special-ed-until-age-22-what-districts-should-do/2024/06 /teaching-learning/whos-eligible-for-special-education-services-schools-struggle-to-keep-up/2024/06 Many states now require schools to offer special education services to students until they turn 22. Costs and logistics can be daunting. Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:50:28 GMT /teaching-learning/whos-eligible-for-special-education-services-schools-struggle-to-keep-up/2024/06 /teaching-learning/a-guide-to-special-education-terms/2024/05 The number of students in special education has increased steadily in the last four decades. Here are some of the common terms used. Tue, 21 May 2024 15:13:32 GMT /teaching-learning/a-guide-to-special-education-terms/2024/05 /teaching-learning/opinion-schools-must-do-better-to-meet-idea-requirements/2023/09 More states must follow through on this law. Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-schools-must-do-better-to-meet-idea-requirements/2023/09 /teaching-learning/do-more-to-ensure-schools-meet-obligations-to-students-with-disabilities-feds-tell-states/2023/07 States must have "robust" systems to ensure schools obey federal special education law, new guidance says. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:14:17 GMT /teaching-learning/do-more-to-ensure-schools-meet-obligations-to-students-with-disabilities-feds-tell-states/2023/07 /teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07 What IEPs are, what their purpose is, and which students are eligible. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:29:22 GMT /teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07 /teaching-learning/how-does-special-education-work-test-your-knowledge/2023/05 What is IDEA? How much can the federal government contribute to special education funding? Take our quiz. Thu, 04 May 2023 19:30:07 GMT /teaching-learning/how-does-special-education-work-test-your-knowledge/2023/05 /teaching-learning/how-special-education-funding-actually-works/2023/04 Special education is among the most complicated and misunderstood facets of America鈥檚 sprawling K-12 school landscape. Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:47:32 GMT /teaching-learning/how-special-education-funding-actually-works/2023/04 /policy-politics/supreme-court-rules-deaf-student-can-sue-school-district-over-alleged-failures/2023/03 The justices rule that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act does not bar the student's suit for money damages. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 18:52:47 GMT /policy-politics/supreme-court-rules-deaf-student-can-sue-school-district-over-alleged-failures/2023/03 /teaching-learning/supreme-court-seems-in-favor-of-deaf-students-right-to-sue-school-district-under-the-ada/2023/01 Miguel Luna Perez was there as the justices weighed issues in his case over his district allegedly failing to provide trained interpreters. Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:03:24 GMT /teaching-learning/supreme-court-seems-in-favor-of-deaf-students-right-to-sue-school-district-under-the-ada/2023/01 /teaching-learning/a-deaf-student-says-his-school-district-failed-him-the-supreme-court-will-decide/2023/01 Miguel Luna Perez received inadequate assistance for 12 years, his suit says. The high court will decide if he can pursue money damages. Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:52:05 GMT /teaching-learning/a-deaf-student-says-his-school-district-failed-him-the-supreme-court-will-decide/2023/01 /teaching-learning/states-are-desperate-for-special-ed-teachers-but-they-cant-cut-corners-to-get-them/2022/10 The Education Department warns states not to lower standards, even as districts frantically search for skilled special educators. Tue, 25 Oct 2022 21:32:41 GMT /teaching-learning/states-are-desperate-for-special-ed-teachers-but-they-cant-cut-corners-to-get-them/2022/10 /teaching-learning/older-students-face-time-crunch-in-getting-crucial-special-education-services/2022/10 Many students with disabilities missed out on key transition services during the pandemic. Advocates are pushing schools to make up for lost time. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 18:59:20 GMT /teaching-learning/older-students-face-time-crunch-in-getting-crucial-special-education-services/2022/10 /teaching-learning/the-supreme-court-will-decide-a-significant-special-education-case/2022/10 The justices will decide whether families must exhaust special education proceedings when they seek money damages under other federal laws. Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:49:50 GMT /teaching-learning/the-supreme-court-will-decide-a-significant-special-education-case/2022/10 /teaching-learning/new-discipline-guidance-focuses-on-discrimination-against-students-with-disabilities/2022/07 The Biden administration aims to clarify how federal law protects students with disabilities. Tue, 19 Jul 2022 20:41:30 GMT /teaching-learning/new-discipline-guidance-focuses-on-discrimination-against-students-with-disabilities/2022/07 /policy-politics/7-ways-the-federal-government-shortchanges-k-12-schools/2022/07 Districts haven't gotten the help they need and expect on infrastructure, high-need students, special education, school meals, and more. Tue, 12 Jul 2022 04:02:05 GMT /policy-politics/7-ways-the-federal-government-shortchanges-k-12-schools/2022/07 /teaching-learning/federal-special-ed-funding-is-woefully-inequitable-new-studies-show/2022/06 Outdated funding formulas continue to widen gaps that shortchange students with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, researchers say. Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:25:17 GMT /teaching-learning/federal-special-ed-funding-is-woefully-inequitable-new-studies-show/2022/06 /policy-politics/feds-to-probe-whether-texas-ban-on-school-mask-mandates-violates-disability-rights-laws/2021/09 The Education Department has already opened investigations in six other states that ban universal school mask requirements. Tue, 21 Sep 2021 21:58:19 GMT /policy-politics/feds-to-probe-whether-texas-ban-on-school-mask-mandates-violates-disability-rights-laws/2021/09 /policy-politics/federal-judge-denies-parents-suit-to-block-floridas-ban-on-school-mask-mandates/2021/09 The parents argued that their children, due to health conditions, were at particular risk if any of their peers attend school without masks. Thu, 16 Sep 2021 19:54:00 GMT /policy-politics/federal-judge-denies-parents-suit-to-block-floridas-ban-on-school-mask-mandates/2021/09 /leadership/i-need-you-to-wear-a-mask-to-protect-my-child-a-mom-fights-for-vulnerable-students/2021/09 Some parents see a tension between their medically vulnerable children's safety and their educational needs during the pandemic. Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:16:26 GMT /leadership/i-need-you-to-wear-a-mask-to-protect-my-child-a-mom-fights-for-vulnerable-students/2021/09 /policy-politics/feds-add-florida-to-list-of-states-under-investigation-over-restrictions-on-mask-mandates/2021/09 The Education Department told the state Sept. 10 it will probe whether its mask rule is violating the rights of students with disabilities. Fri, 10 Sep 2021 23:03:26 GMT /policy-politics/feds-add-florida-to-list-of-states-under-investigation-over-restrictions-on-mask-mandates/2021/09 /policy-politics/education-department-opens-civil-rights-probes-in-5-states-that-ban-school-mask-mandates/2021/08 The move on behalf of students with disabilities deepens the fight over masks between the Biden administration and GOP governors. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:01:03 GMT /policy-politics/education-department-opens-civil-rights-probes-in-5-states-that-ban-school-mask-mandates/2021/08 /teaching-learning/flints-special-education-students-win-support-compensation-in-landmark-settlement/2020/08 A small portion of a $600 million settlement will be used to improve services and supports for children impacted by the city's water crisis. Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:30:12 GMT /teaching-learning/flints-special-education-students-win-support-compensation-in-landmark-settlement/2020/08 /leadership/schools-seek-cover-from-special-education-lawsuits-but-advocates-see-another-motive/2020/07 Special education advocates argue the push for liability protection is a veiled attempt to seek waivers from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the nation's primary special education law. Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:40:05 GMT /leadership/schools-seek-cover-from-special-education-lawsuits-but-advocates-see-another-motive/2020/07 /teaching-learning/opinion-the-ada-has-fallen-short-for-black-students-its-past-time-to-fix-that/2020/07 As the Americans with Disabilities Act turns 30, let鈥檚 now get busy expanding its promise of equal education to all students, writes Laura Schifter. Sat, 25 Jul 2020 01:15:50 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-the-ada-has-fallen-short-for-black-students-its-past-time-to-fix-that/2020/07 /leadership/many-of-americas-schools-arent-fully-accessible-for-students-with-disabilities/2020/07 In a new report, districts cite funding constraints as the main reason for not making their buildings accessible, a longstanding problem. Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:15:41 GMT /leadership/many-of-americas-schools-arent-fully-accessible-for-students-with-disabilities/2020/07 /teaching-learning/a-few-parents-have-sued-over-special-education-during-covid-19-will-more-follow/2020/07 Districts could face a rising tide of special education-related lawsuits and complaints when schools resume, experts say, if they still cannot offer the services that students with disabilities missed out on for months. Mon, 13 Jul 2020 10:30:52 GMT /teaching-learning/a-few-parents-have-sued-over-special-education-during-covid-19-will-more-follow/2020/07 /policy-politics/betsy-devos-sees-no-reason-to-waive-core-elements-of-special-education-law/2020/04 Congress should not grant flexibility from the federal special education law's key components due to the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has told federal lawmakers. Mon, 27 Apr 2020 21:56:25 GMT /policy-politics/betsy-devos-sees-no-reason-to-waive-core-elements-of-special-education-law/2020/04 /leadership/special-ed-administrators-press-congress-for-idea-waivers-during-pandemic/2020/04 The requests put the nation's special education administrators in conflict with disability rights advocates who fear waivers will place millions of special education students at risk. Thu, 16 Apr 2020 17:40:35 GMT /leadership/special-ed-administrators-press-congress-for-idea-waivers-during-pandemic/2020/04