10.20.17

Scott Statement on Rollback of Guidance on Special Education

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services rescinded 72 documents that provide guidelines on special education policy:

“Today the Department of Education took another harmful regulatory reform step by rescinding 72 guidance documents for individuals with disabilities served under the Rehabilitation Act and students with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This rescission is the latest in a series of disturbing actions taken by the Trump Administration to undermine civil rights for vulnerable Americans.  Much of the guidance around IDEA focused on critical clarifications of the regulations required to meet the needs of students with disabilities and provide them a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Notwithstanding the actions taken by the Department today, the regulations still remained enforced; however, they lack the clarification the guidance provided.

“As the Department indicated this is the first step in their regulatory reform, and I am deeply concerned about what may happen next. We must keep protections in place in order to provide clarity for educators working to serve our most vulnerable students.” 

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