A: As educators, we are committed to providing special education services to our students who require this support. However, our services will need to be modified to work within the new parameters of remote learning.
When working remotely, we cannot duplicate the services provided within the school setting. We know that our student’s ability to attend to learning is very different when the instruction is remote rather than in person, and creating lessons is a very different experience for our teachers and therapists as well.
Your child will receive a combination of direct instruction and independent activities with support from special education staff. Students will have access to their case managers and any service providers who have provided services as indicated on the IEP, but please know that those services delivered remotely cannot replicate what was designed for in-school instruction. We are working to make sure that the special education services provided to students are meaningful, manageable, and targeted to address student goals. We are also cognizant of the incredible stress that remote learning places on our students, staff and families. Children are anxious and away from familiar routines.
As is typical during in-school instruction, case managers will work with students to identify meaningful activities and will reach out to students and/or parents regularly. Services may be pre-recorded, e-mailed, or synchronous, depending on the student’s goals and learning needs. Your child’s goals will be monitored virtually to the extent possible, and will provide additional information in the event that we need to modify your child’s accommodations, goals, or services. We urge you to reach out to your child’s case manager, and if needed, the team can convene a virtual meeting to discuss how to support your child during this time.