Department of Education Strengthens Guidance to Improve Equal Educational Opportunity for Children with Disabilities

On July 24, the Department of Education released an updated policy guidance, accompanied by a Dear Colleague Letter, to ensure and strengthen the rights and protections guaranteed to children with disabilities and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The guidance and letter address what states need to do to meet their responsibilities under the IDEA’s “general supervision” requirement, under which states are required to monitor the compliance of local educational agencies and early intervention service programs and providers with IDEA. The goal of this monitoring is to ensure all school-age children with disabilities can access a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and that infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families receive appropriate early intervention services to the maximum extent appropriate.