Federal Legislation & News
in Special Education
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GA: Georgia seeing a surge in special education complaints
Atlanta News First A growing number of Georgia parents allege their school districts are violating the law by failing to provide required special education services, according to an Atlanta News First investigation. Georgia Department of...
ID: As Legislature mulls Medicaid cuts, parents and providers face uncertainty
Idaho News Parents of children with disabilities are concerned and wondering what will happen to their kids as the Legislature mulls Gov. Brad Little’s recommendation to cut $22 million in Medicaid spending. Angela Lindig, executive director of the nonprofit Idaho...
LA: St. Tammany illegally shortened school days for student with disabilities, lawsuit claims
Verite News New Orleans The family of a special needs student in St. Tammany Parish has filed a federal lawsuit against the parish school board and the school district’s superintendent, Frank Jabbia, saying that the district inappropriately shortened the child’s...
NM: Bill refining allowable restraint and seclusion practices in schools advances out of House committee
Yahoo News Members of the House Education Committee on Monday advanced a bill that would refine definitions of allowable physical discipline practices in public schools, limit those practices, and require expanded training for K-12 school personnel. House Bill 120,...
SC: S.C. legislation proposes cameras in special education classrooms
wrdr State legislative leaders are considering a bill that would mandate cameras in special education classrooms in public schools. The proposed legislation comes after incidents involving vulnerable students, including a case where 9-year-old Kadence, who has autism,...
TN: TN kids with disabilities face a complicated justice system
The Tennessean Savannah Coffman spent the chaotic hours after her son's arrest trying desperately to get to him. That morning, her then-15-year-old son, who has autism, posted on his private Snapchat account about a rumored widespread threat against schools. "Stay...
TX: Extra voucher funds for students with disabilities requires public school psychologist assessment
KSAT Time is running out to gather the necessary documentation for students with disabilities to receive the extra benefits entitled through the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program. Families of students with disabilities could receive up to an additional $30,000,...
Congress Fails to Negotiate Final Homeland Security Funding Bill
The February 13 deadline set by last week’s continuing resolution (CR) to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to lapse tonight without a new spending agreement from Congress. Without a final bill or new CR, DHS is expected to shut down until a...
House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Science of Reading
On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Services (Labor-H) held a bipartisan hearing, “The Science of Reading.” Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) used the hearing to highlight recent...
ED Highlights Funding Flexibility for Innovative Staffing
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a Dear Colleague letter that provides guidance to states and school districts highlighting current flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The guidance explains how Title II,...