“It’s not perfect on our end, and we don’t expect
it to be perfect on their end.”
Advocates say it’s crucial that students with
disabilities continue to receive instruction
during closures. Research has found that breaks
in schooling — even for a day or two — can
erode ground on skills students were starting
to master. But keeping them engaged from afar
will be a challenge, schools say, especially for
those with severe disabilities.
A rescue package approved by Congress aims
to help by providing $13.5 billion that schools
could use to buy computers and technology for
students with disabilities. But it also asks DeVos
to consider whether the government should
temporarily waive requirements around the
instruction of students with disabilities, a move
disability advocates strongly oppose.
Amid rapid change, some parents say they
already feel left out.
Darlene Gildersleeve, of Hopkinton, New
Hampshire, has a 14-year-old daughter
whose education plan includes counseling,
occupational therapy, speech therapy and
specialized instruction. Her school is offering
to arrange some of that by phone and Google
Classroom, but Gildersleeve hasn’t heard
anything about speech therapy or support for
math, English and reading.
“I have no idea how to get on Google
Classroom,” Gildersleeve said. “That’s a big
concern of mine — will I be able to step in and
help her?”
Some districts say it will be hard to avoid
learning setbacks, especially in skills that are
tougher to teach from afar. Honing social skills