Dear Parents of Exceptional Children,

As all of you are no doubt aware, Governor Jay Inslee closed all schools in the state of Washington through April 24, in an effort to aggressively slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The ESD 112 partners with the leadership and educational staff in your district to provide special education services for your child and we understand the effect these necessary school closures are having on families. This is an unprecedented time for our educational system and because of that there are many details we are working out on a daily basis. We appreciate your patience as we navigate a situation we have not experienced before. I want to assure you that there are two things we will never lose sight of: the significance of ensuring the safety of your family and our colleagues and the impact of this closure on your child’s educational growth and development.

As partners in education, your school district and the ESD 112 recognize the significant consequences an extended school closure will have on our entire community including students, families and staff. Furthermore, we acknowledge the anxiety this may cause our parents and students, especially those who depend on us for special education instruction and related services. You may be wondering what to expect during the school closure related to your student’s IEP and special education services. To that end, we have included a list of frequently asked questions to help address many of the common concerns about how special education services will be impacted by the extended school closure. 

Staff in your district will provide further communication with you in the upcoming days and weeks, collectively and individually, around the cancellation and rescheduling of IEP and evaluation meetings. .  At this time, OSPI has not prohibited to the use of school buildings for meetings and individual evaluation activity as long as we maintain social distancing guidelines; however, individual school districts may have closed their doors to staff use, so it is important to know what your district is doing.  And this OSPI allowance of individual use of buildings may change in the near future.  We are developing plans on how meetings can be held via technology also. We are currently evaluating plans to provide educational services during the closure, also. It has not been determined, at this time, if this can occur or in what format. We are looking into both innovative and past practices for educational opportunities and offerings. If any form of educational services are being provided by your district, then special education services, equal to those district services, will also be provided to students in those grades. We promise to keep you updated as additional information becomes available.

After reviewing the attached frequently asked questions document we understand that many students and families may still have additional questions and we will do what we can to address

them all. The ESD will continue posting updates on our website.  Please continue to go to www.esd112.org and our COVID-19 page https://www.esd112.org/coronavirus-resources/ for more information. If you have specific questions related to your student’s special education services or IEP related to this closure, please email Jeffrey Niess at jeffrey.niess@esd112.org or your local school district special education director (from whom you received this email and attached letter) and we will work to respond to you individually. Please know that this is an evolving situation and we are committed to our laser focus on health, safety and educational opportunities for your children.

Sincerely,

Tim Merlino                                                                 Jeffrey Niess

Superintendent, ESD 112                                          Executive Director, Specialized Student Services              

2500 NE 65 Avenue   |  Vancouver  |  WA  |  98661

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 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

ESD 112 Special Education Services COVID-19 Impacts

In this unprecedented and uncertain situation, we understand you likely have questions about special education services provided by ESD 112. We have compiled a list of common questions we are receiving and have answered them below. If you have additional questions not answered in this document, you may contact either your special education director that sent you this document or Jeffrey Niess @ 360-750-7500. 

1. Q: During the extended closure, will my student still receive their Individualized Education Program (IEP) services? 

A: No. If a school closure causes educational services for all students to pause within the district, then the district is generally not required to provide services to the affected students eligible for special education services during that same period of time. 

The district will remain responsible for the free appropriate public education (FAPE) of its students eligible for special education services with an IEP. After the extended closure ends, the district will be reviewing how the closure impacted the delivery of special education and related services to students eligible for special education services. This might include an IEP team meeting to discuss compensatory education and extended school year services, but such decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

2. Q: Will the district provide mandatory online or distance learning during the extended school closure? 

A: At this time, no. In alignment with recommendations from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the district has no current plans to provide mandatory online or distance learning during the extended school closure. This includes both general and special education students. 

OSPI has released recommendations regarding learning in the event of a prolonged absence or school closure. OSPI does not recommend an online distance learning model unless a district can ensure that all students will have equal access to learning. Our district has a diverse student population and many of our students do not have regular access to technology or the internet. Moreover, an online distance learning model would not be cohesive with many special education students’ IEP services. 

However, if the district does decide to provide distance learning only to certain grade levels—for example, only to seniors so they can accrue credits towards their graduation, then OSPI has recommended that IEP services also be provided to special education students in those grades. 

3. Q: Does the extended school closure prohibit meetings such as evaluation/eligibility meetings, IEP meetings, student assessments, or child find screenings?

No. There is no prohibition against holding meetings at a school, or conducting individual student assessments, provided that appropriate social distancing methods are used. OSPI has issued guidance that directs districts to also consider ways to use distance technology (e.g., Zoom, conference calls) to the extent possible to provide child find, hold initial and annual IEP meetings, and/or evaluation/eligibility meetings, if staff and parents are available but not able/do not wish to attend in person. Individual school districts may have determined that they are not allowing staff access or patron access at this time. It is important to check with your district’s special education director if you are not sure about your district’s use of their buildings.

4. Q: Can I request my IEP meeting be held telephonically (on the telephone)? 

A: Yes. The district understands that parents may want to limit their exposure to public places, including the schools. As explained in the Answer to Question 3, OSPI has issued guidance that that directs districts to consider ways to use distance technology to the extent possible to hold IEP and other meetings. To that end, the district encourages parents to schedule IEP meetings via telephone or video conference. The district is confident that both options still provide parents with a meaningful opportunity to participate in the IEP meeting. If you would like to attend an IEP meeting via telephone or video conference, please contact your IEP Team leader to discuss whether staff is available to do so.     

5. Q: What if my student’s annual IEP review deadline is during the extended school closure?

A: At this time the district has no guidance from the United States Department of Education regarding whether deadlines due during an extended school closure will be waived or extended. As such, the district will, to the extent possible, comply with all deadlines.   

6. Q: How does the extended school closure impact IDEA dispute resolution options, activities, and timelines?

A: There is no waiver from IDEA dispute resolution options and timelines, including state

Citizen Complaints and Due Process Hearings. OSPI has stated that it will continue to respond to submissions from parents, the community, and school districts in a timely manner, and will consider whether extenuating circumstances demand changes in activities and timelines. In the event changes are needed, they will be documented and shared with the involved parties.

7. Q: How will the district make up the missed days due to the extended school closure? 

A: Per state law, students are required to have 180 days of classroom instruction per year. OSPI has issued guidance which provides that districts that close in response to COVID-19 should make every effort to make up missed time, including using scheduled vacation days and planned school closure days. However, OSPI will grant emergency waivers to allow districts to end the school year on Friday, June 19 at the latest.  

8. Q: Where can I turn for more information regarding the ESD 112’s response to COVID-19? 

A: We are committed to keeping you updated with information as soon as it becomes available. Please continue to check the ESD 112 Website for announcements related to COVID-19 and the actions the ESD 112 and your district are taking. The ESD 112’s website is located at: https://www.esd112.org. We have a COVID-19 specific information page, located at https://www.esd112.org/coronavirus-resources/.