U.S. Department of Education Publishes New Guidance Reiterating Importance of IDEA

On August 24, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) sent a letter to states and local partners reiterating its commitment to ensuring children with disabilities and their families have successful early intervention and educational experiences in the 2021-2022 school year.

This letter outlines a series of questions and answers (Q&As) as children and students return to in-person learning. The Q&As focus on topics to help ensure that—regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic or the mode of instruction, children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) following the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and that infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services.