Week 1 – August 2nd, 2022 Theme: Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
New guidance released from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) helps schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline. The first document in the series is Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-discipline-guidance.pdf
Week 2 – August 9th, 2022 Theme: Section 504 Fact Sheet
The second document in OCR/OSERS new guidance on school discipline is this fact sheet noting Section 504 requirements related to discipline in the areas of FAPE and Non-discrimination. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-discipline-factsheet.pdf
Week 3 – August 16th, 2022 Theme: Questions and Answers: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA’s Discipline Provisions
A third new guidance document released in July 2022 on school discipline is Questions and Answers Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) Discipline Provisions. This document specifically states (middle of page 2) that parents may reach out to their PTI (that’s you) for more information on school discipline. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/qa-addressing-the-needs-of-children-with-disabilities-and-idea-discipline-provisions.pdf
Week 4 – August 23rd, 2022 Theme: Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting the Needs of Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders
The document, Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting the Needs of Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders, was also released with the package of guidance on discipline which expands on the 2016 Dear Colleague Letter that included data demonstrating that many children with disabilities, particularly Black children with disabilities, were subjected to high rates of disciplinary removals. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/guide-positive-proactive-approaches-to-supporting-children-with-disabilities.pdf
Week 5 – August , 2022 Theme: Key Policy Letters Signed by the Education Secretary or Deputy Secretary
The final piece of information released on discipline is 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. https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/220719.html