This letter is the latest in a series of guidance to state and local school systems from the federal special education office emphasizing that hardships such as the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent student transfers are unacceptable excuses for not meeting requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Indeed, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many schools switched to remote learning, it became difficult to provide some special education services, including evaluations. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened investigations into several school systems, including Los Angeles Unified School District, to determine if they violated civil rights laws by limiting special education services during remote learning.
