FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Compensatory Education for San Diego Students with Disabilities

San Diego, CA – March 20, 2020 – School closures due to the COVID-19 virus will give local special education students the right to request additional educational services to make up for any academic and functional skills lost.

Unless Congress grants the federal Department of Education the authority to waive the requirements under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, schools will still be required to provide a free appropriate public education during the time schools remain closed due to the COVID-19 virus. Schools will need to comply with any timelines and provide the services specified in each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

With Governor Newsom’s announcement that schools will likely be closed until the fall, parents will need to take a proactive approach in order to be successful and obtain compensatory education. “Parents should not expect schools to offer compensatory services on their own initiative.” Said Leo Marchena, a local special education advocate. 

Marchena offered three tips to help parents prepare: 1) review the students’ IEP and make a chart of frequency and type of services the school is required to provide; 2) document any regression in student’s academic achievement and functional performance; and 3) request and attend the IEP meeting with the documents in hand to show the student has regressed. “Parents will need to prove to the IEP team that their child has fallen behind and needs compensatory education.” Marchena concluded. 

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