Key Considerations for Special Educators and Their Students as Schools Reopen

Dear Members,

Educational institutions and programs across the country are assessing the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic at the local level and implementing strategies to reopen in the fall. We hope these schools and organizations are consulting with you⁠—the professionals dedicated to the success of infants, children, and youth with exceptionalities—in developing these plans.

To assist you in advocating for the special education community's needs, CEC has drafted a set of considerations for reopening. We hope these suggestions can help guide you in the conversation and ensure that special education needs are taken into consideration to ensure a smooth and healthy reopening. These considerations should be adapted to what makes sense at the local level, given your situation and the resources available.

I want to thank the division leaders who contributed to this guide for their support in thinking about how we can continue to ensure that every student receives a free appropriate public education.

View the considerations here.

Jennifer Lesh, President

Council for Exceptional Children