On May 12, the House of Representatives released the text of the HEROES Act, a bill to provide additional COVID-19 relief and stimulus funding. The bill includes $100.15 billion to the U.S. Department of Education, of which $90 billion is directed to funding for states. To receive funding, states must certify that students with disabilities will be afforded their full rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including the provision of services as laid out in their IEPs.
In response to the bill, the Center’s Senior Policy Director Wendy Tucker stated:
“The Center applauds the drafters of the HEROES Act for prioritizing education funding in this latest relief package and for ensuring that states receiving relief funds guarantee that the rights of students with disabilities remain intact. As they consider how to best support students with disabilities during this unprecedented time, we encourage Congress to provide dedicated emergency IDEA funding to states and school districts to address the unique needs of these students. In the meantime, we at the Center will continue to promote policies and practices that result in tangible benefits to schools, districts, families, and students during these challenging times.”
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