US Department of Education Issues New Guidance To Help Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline in Special Education

On July 19, 2022 the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) issued new guidance to assist public elementary and secondary schools to fulfill their duties to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline.

The newly issued guidance is some of the most comprehensive guidance issued by the US Department of Education since the COVID-19 pandemic. The new guidance particularly addresses the need for more student mental health support as the result of the pandemic.

The new resources include:

Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

and an accompanying

Fact Sheet

.

Questions and Answers Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) Discipline Provisions

.

Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting the Needs of Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders

. And,

A

letter

from Secretary Cardona to our nation’s educators, school leaders, parents, and students about the importance of supporting the needs of students with disabilities.

To access the new guidance click on the links provided above or click here.