Is online school illegal? With schools closing from coronavirus, special education concerns give districts pause

Patrick Riccards received an email Tuesday from his New Jersey school district about its plan for special-education services during the coronavirus shutdown. But what should have brought him comfort instead caused dismay.

At issue: Federal law calls for individuals with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in everything schools provide. If districts don't accommodate students, they risk losing federal aid — and facing complaints from parents and disability rights advocates for violating federal civil rights laws.

The Northshore School District in Washington state was one of the first large districts — with more than 25,000 students — to enact a robust distance learning plan. Officials successfully got 4,000 devices and additional internet access to low-income students. But then they had to pause the plan because, they said, it risked running afoul of state and federal mandates for providing equitable services.

These are unusual times and everyone has to sacrifice no matter who you are.

on line school could be an excellent learning opportunity right now... it could be a big boom business from independent companies..

I have a special needs child and understand the struggle. However, this isn’t about individuals right now. We are trying to protect everyone. These parents need to chill out and remember that. We all have to sacrifice and help others including our educators and kids stay safe.

In this time of crisis we will have to relax rules and laws to get through this. My brother is a hs teacher and they are not doing only online learning. He sent class work home with his students and less than 10% did the work

His life- keep him alive. Keeping his Staff alive - Keeping Other students alive Comes first Time to spend time with your OWN kid

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