Feb 10
Teacher in Classroom

OPINION: President Trump’s School Choice Proposal Leaves Students with Disabilities Behind

On February 10, 2020, the Hechinger Report posted an op-ed by Lauren Morando Rhim about the pitfalls of President Trump’s proposed Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act.

In his 2020 State of the Union address, President Donald J. Trump promoted the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act as a means to “rescue” students “trapped in failing government schools.” His proposal, however, runs the risk of infringing on the civil liberties of students with disabilities.

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), all public schools — traditional and charter — are required to provide a free and appropriate education to students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Private and religious schools, on the other hand, have no such obligation. They can, and do, simply turn away prospective students with disabilities.

Read Full Article