Dear HECSE Members:
As you know, Congress is finalizing a third COVID-19 response package. A part of that package, introduced by Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY), includes authority for the Secretary of Education to recommend waivers to IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which would then provide the basis for amendments to the laws.
This broad authority is unprecedented and dangerous. Opening up IDEA for amendments could be dangerous and could result in waiving key IDEA provisions and altering how IDEA serves students. The guidance issued last week by the Department of Education related to the provision of services for students under IDEA during the epidemic goes a long way to clarifying some of the misunderstandings in the field: Link Here
Continued guidance should address questions as they rise, without the need to amend IDEA.
For these reasons, HECSE opposes the provision to require a report listing needed waivers and amendments to IDEA. We have communicated this to key leaders on Capitol Hill. We recommend that you contact your Members of Congress (House and Senate) with the following message. Do this as soon as possible as the bill is moving fast and may receive a vote as early as today.
As you know, Congress is finalizing a third COVID-19 response package. A part of that package, introduced by Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY), includes authority for the Secretary of Education to recommend waivers to IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which would then provide the basis for amendments to the laws.
This broad authority is unprecedented and dangerous. Opening up IDEA for amendments could be dangerous and could result in waiving key IDEA provisions and altering how IDEA serves students. The guidance issued last week by the Department of Education related to the provision of services for students under IDEA during the epidemic goes a long way to clarifying some of the misunderstandings in the field: Link Here
Continued guidance should address questions as they rise, without the need to amend IDEA.
For these reasons, HECSE opposes the provision to require a report listing needed waivers and amendments to IDEA. We have communicated this to key leaders on Capitol Hill. We recommend that you contact your Members of Congress (House and Senate) with the following message. Do this as soon as possible as the bill is moving fast and may receive a vote as early as today.
Here are two bullet points that are important to include in your message to Members of Congress:
· I oppose the provision in the COVID-19 stimulus bill which calls for a report from the Secretary of Education on needed waivers under IDEA. IDEA must remain intact. Parents and families are counting on the stability of IDEA during this period. Congress must not undermine the intent of the law.
· What students, families and districts need is a significant infusion of funding for IDEA. The funding is needed to support teachers as they shift to alternative means of delivering services, and parents as they support their children at home.
I urge you to ensure that IDEA funding is increased significantly and that the waiver report for IDEA is eliminated in the COVID-19 stimulus bill currently under consideration.
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All the best to our HECSE family during this crisis.
Lisa and Jane