Dear Families of Children with Disabilities:
I sincerely hope that you and your children are safe and healthy during this continued COVID-19 pandemic. The safety, health, and welfare of everyone are our greatest priority during this pandemic.
CCPS recognizes that serving students with disabilities requires additional considerations in order to comply with the IDEA, including ensuring continued access to the general education curriculum and an IEP designed and implemented to allow the students to make progress on their individualized goals through changing service delivery models as school re-opens. We have moved from the Continuity of Learning phase in the spring to beginning the school year in a Recovery Plan phase, which may continue to change for general and special education as we prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of students, teachers, and service providers. Individual student needs will be considered throughout the recovery process, and a variety of methods will be used to support students with disabilities in the delivery of specially designed instruction and related services.
For the 2020-21 school year, CCPS will begin with 100% online/distance learning through a blended learning format (synchronous and asynchronous instruction). CCPS will continue to revise/develop and implement individualized Distance Learning Plans (DLPs) for students with IEPs. DLPs will be developed collaboratively in order to determine special education and related services. Specially designed instruction and related services will be provided virtually. CCPS will also be able to bring some small groups of students to school for in-person instruction for partial days beginning later in September. Information regarding in-person instruction is below.
An ongoing process for conducting Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) activities will include: ongoing progress monitoring of the student; ongoing communication with families, teachers, and service providers; and ongoing documentation of the student progress and services delivered. These activities will help to support student-specific needs. Compensatory education/recovery services will be determined on an individual basis through a data-driven process.
Case managers of students with IEPs will be contacting parents/guardians to review, revise, or develop DLPs prior to the start of the school year. Please contact the IEP chairperson at your child’s school if you have questions regarding your child’s IEP and/or DLP.
The following explains the criteria for consideration for in-person instruction:
o Who is eligible?
Elementary students with special education services (not speech only)
Students participating in the Alternate Standards Framework (elementary, middle
and high school)
o Anticipated Start Date?
September 21, 2020
How often?
In person instruction may be 2 or 4 partial days.
At this time, there will be no in-person instruction on Wednesdays.
Days of the week and time (AM or PM) will have to be determined (in accordance with the Department of Transportation, considerations for class size, and the school schedule).
PreK students (3- and 4-year-olds in Special Education Regional Programs) may only attend two partial days per week (AM or PM on either Mon/Thurs or Tues/Fri) for safety and health/social distancing reasons.
Options for Partial Days In-Person
Two Days Four Days
- Mon/Thurs AM
- Tues/Fri AM
- Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri AM
- Mon/Thurs PM
- Tues/Fri PM
- Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri PM
Please know that we are committed to doing all that we can in the coming weeks to prepare for a successful start to the school year, and we look forward to working collaboratively with you in order to set your child up for success.
Again, please know that our concern for the safety of your children and the impact of this crisis is our highest priority.
Sincerely,
Christina Harris / Director of Special Education