MSDE Technical Assistance Bulletin
May 2020
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services (DEI/SES) has created this Technical Assistance Bulletin (TAB:# 20-03) to guide the provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities during the extended school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MSDE, DEI/SES recognizes that Local School Systems (LSSs) and Public Agencies (PAs) have rapidly shifted operations and service delivery from face-to-face instruction to virtual and/or distance learning while students are at home. The MSDE, DEI/SES remains committed to supporting LSSs/PAs as they navigate these rapidly evolving times. This guidance remains in effect until further notice. This TAB guides the development of changes to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) (if needed), remote implementation of the IEP ,and evaluation of each student’s progress within the virtual and/or distance learning environment. This TAB includes:
- Legal Drivers: The Provision of FAPE/IDEA
– Continuity of Learning Provisions during Extended School Closure
– Transitioning to Remote Learning: A Recursive Approach - Process of Individualizing Continuity of Learning during Extended School Closure
- Development of an IEP during Extended School Closure
– No Changes Needed to Current IEP (as Written)
– Changes Needed to Current IEP (Amend or Revise) - Implementation of the IEP through Virtual and/or Distance Learning Environment
– Remote Learning Methods - Evaluation of the IEP to Inform Future Actions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Resources
Read the Technical Assistance Bulletin: Providing Continuity of Learning to Students with Disabilities During COVID-19
