Review the latest special education information related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

We hope everyone can enjoy themselves on this unusual spring break. We are committed to keeping you in the loop as to what changes are happening to school systems around the area, as well as announcements from the U.S. Department of Education. Below is a synopsis of recent updates.

U.S. Department of Education

There will be a new streamlined process for providing states funding flexibilities authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These flexibilities will allow schools to repurpose existing funds for technology infrastructure and teacher training on distance learning, among other things. There was no news addressing any waiver of Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requirements.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)

A Continuity of Learning Plan was recently released. In order to support special education, ACPS are planning to provide virtual support, including consultation, accommodations and modifications, collaboration with teachers, and virtual instruction with a special education teacher. They are also planning to provide supplemental activities to support Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, virtual related services (e.g., teletherapy sessions), and activities for parents and students to reinforce the skills from teletherapy sessions. While they acknowledge that it’s not possible to provide the amount of services in all IEPs, their goal is to mitigate the impact of the school closure. They plan to provide technology with embedded accessibility features to allow special education students to access them.

Falls Church City Public Schools

They will give pass/fail grades for the fourth quarter. In terms of special education support, they plan to provide:

  • Personalized instructional assistance.
  • 1:1 conferences.
  • Emails.
  • Telephonic help.
  • Live and recorded lessons.
  • Alternate activities.
  • Small group instruction.
  • Other supports as needed.

Further, after Spring Break, special education students will have access to a personalized computer-adapted program focused on English Language Arts/Literacy and Math.

Frederick County Public Schools

A letter from the superintendent announced that, on April 15, teachers will start teaching new topics. There will be three units of materials: April 15–30, May 4–22, and May 26 – June 5. Materials can be accessed online, picked up, or possibly mailed. The new topics will focus on larger concepts and skills rather than particular standards. Teachers should be in contact with students, and the Special Instructional Services Department will be connecting with families to ensure that instructional and services needs are met. None of the new learning will be required or graded; grades are based on the first three quarters. Students will receive feedback, but since the work will not be traditionally graded, they will either receive a “P” (pass) or “NG” (no grade).

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS)

Some updates addressing grading and special education have been announced.

Regarding grading, elementary school students will not receive grades for the fourth quarter but will receive feedback and have progress tracked for the rest of the year. The same will go for middle and high school students. Although the progress tracking might be reflected as a grade, there will be no actual grades recorded for the fourth quarter. Grades will be determined based on some average of the completed quarters or semesters; the specific calculation will depend on whichever way is most favorable to the student and will be up to what the family chooses.

Special education teachers and case managers are collaborating with general education teachers to help special education students. They will be working to create plans to provide instruction and support where possible. However, LCPS has acknowledged that they might not be able to provide the same level of support and services as they normally would. LCPS will be creating Temporary Distance Learning Plans to support special education students. Parents should expect to hear from teachers the week of April 13 about these. Temporary Distance Learning Plans will cover the rest of the school year and will identify the goals, accommodations, and services that can be reasonably provided during this time. Once school resumes, LCPS will return to providing education and services according to the student’s IEP.

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCPS)

A Continuity of Learning timeline, as well as details about Phase 4 – Virtual Schoolhouse, have been released. PWCPS noted that special education teachers will offer virtual support during specific times. They also acknowledged that IEPs, 504 plans, and related services will not be able to be offered as they were when school was open, but that they will be using strategies and supports to continue engagement in learning for all students.

Spotsylvania County Public Schools

A Continuous Learning Plan was released. Learning for special education students will include a mix of online and offline learning and will require the support of a caregiver at times. They also announced that there will be no grades for the fourth quarter.

Stafford County Public Schools

A letter from the superintendent touched on grades and special education, among other things. It seems that grades will only be based on the first three quarters of the school year. Further, students with IEPs should apparently contact their case manager for information on how to improve skills associated with their IEP. However, there are not any specifics on how schools will help special education students at this time.

We Want to Hear from You

If you know of anything going on in your school district, please share it with us. The more information we can share with each other, the better we can develop our knowledge base, plans, and strategies. We appreciate your input.

As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or updates.