Review‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌information‌ ‌related‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌disease‌ ‌2019‌ ‌(COVID-19)‌ ‌pandemic.‌ Our special education attorneys and advocates can help you and your child prepare for the return to school.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)

  • ACPS is asking all families to participate in a survey about the fall reopening process by July 12, 2020.
  • ACPS plans to hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 16 to discuss and hear input on the reopening of schools. It will be the first of four throughout July and August.

Arlington Public Schools (APS)

  • APS has scheduled two virtual town halls to address the upcoming school year options and community questions:
    • For families: Tuesday, July 14, 6:30–8 p.m. ET
    • For staff: Wednesday, July 15, 1–2 p.m. ET
  • APS provided more detailed information about their instructional models.
    • The hybrid model will be a 21-hour school week, with about 6 hours and 40 minutes of in-person learning two days a week and 2.5 hours of distance learning three days a week.
    • The full-time distance learning model will also be a 21-hour school week, with 2.5 hours of asynchronous, independent learning (to include small group, synchronous interventions if necessary) on Mondays, and about 4.5 hours of synchronous and asynchronous learning on Tuesdays through Fridays.
  • Special education services will be provided in-person and virtually, depending on the service. APS will attempt to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) hours to the extent possible. Examples of what distance learning could look like for special education students include:
    • Special education support in general education virtual classes
      • A special education teacher or staff member under the guidance of a special education teacher would provide supports and services such as:
        • Reviewing online content before students engage with it
        • Pre-teaching content
        • Re-teaching content
        • Small group instruction within the general education virtual classroom
        • Providing instruction and support for executive functioning skills (e.g., organizing material, creating outlines, breaking down assignments, check-in with students to monitor work completion)
    • Self-contained classes and specialized programs (e.g., Shriver, MIPA, FLS)
      • Small-group instruction by certified teachers
      • Instructional studies and executive functioning addressed by teacher
    • Transition to post-secondary education
      • Transition coordinators will continue outreach to students in grades 8–12
        • Planning for a spectrum of post-secondary experiences
        • Vocational skills can be addressed by tasks done from home or programs such as TeachTown
  • Be aware that the IEP team will need to convene to adjust your child’s IEP to reflect whichever model you choose. Further, they may consider reducing service hours to reflect the new 21-hour school week, as opposed to the previous 30-hour school week.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

  • FCPS has moved the deadline to choose a learning model to July 15, 2020 and the start date of the upcoming school year to Sept. 8.
  • FCPS has come under scrutiny from the Trump administration, who believe Fairfax should offer in-person learning five days a week. U.S. Department of Education Secretary DeVos stated, “Fairfax County, which is one of the most well-funded, I would call it an elite public school system in America, offered families a so-called choice for this fall, either zero days in school for their students or two days. And their springtime attempt at distance learning was a disaster.”
  • FCPS may consider implementing 3 feet of social distancing between students in the fall, based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It suggests 3 feet of social distancing and mask-wearing could be safe for children, because they are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. If implemented, FCPS would be able to have more kids in the classroom.
  • Summer Clinic will begin select evaluations next week.
  • Be aware that the IEP team will need to convene (or at least seek your input for an addendum) to adjust your child’s IEP to reflect whichever model you choose.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS)

  • LCPS has extended the deadline for families to choose an instructional model to July 15, 2020 at 8 a.m. ET. Once parents select a choice, they will be locked into their decision for the first semester.
  • LCPS released a 16-page document detailing their return to learning plan, which gives families the choice of either a hybrid model (two in-person days and three distance learning days) or full distance learning.
  • LCPS has noted that special education children may attend school more than two days a week, if they choose the hybrid model and if their disability necessitates more in-school time.

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS)

  • PWCS is proposing a hybrid model, or 50% model, in which most students will attend school in-person two days a week and have distance learning the other three days. Certain groups, such as special education students, would attend in-person four days a week. The last day would be used as a virtual workday and an extra day to clean facilities.
  • PWCS is also offering a 100% distance learning model for those uncomfortable or unable to return to school in-person.
  • PWCS proposes Sept. 8 as the first day of school to give teachers more planning and training time. A final vote for the learning models and the later start date will occur on July 15.
  • Students and staff who choose to go to school in person will be required to wear masks when 6 feet of social distancing is not possible. This would not pertain to students under age 10.
  • All students will be asked to complete a daily health questionnaire and temperature check before reporting to school.

Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS)

  • SCPS has extended the deadline to complete a supplemental registration form for the 2020–2021 school year to July 17, 2020.