In these unusual times, holding IEP meetings can be quite a challenge.  The IDEA does allow a student’s IEP meeting to be held through alternative means, such virtual meetings (e.g., Zoom, Go-To-Meeting, Microsoft Team) if parents and school personnel agree to this (IDEA Regulations, 34 C.F.R.§ 300.328).

The following National Centers funded by the Office of Special Education have teamed to provide an excellent resource for conducting virtual IEP meetings: Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE), Center for Parent Information & Resources,  Family Network on Disabilities, National Center for Systemic Improvement, Progress Center at the American Institutes for Research, and the Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training, and Support.

Their combined efforts resulted in the Virtual IEP Meeting Tip Sheets.

The OSEP-funded IRIS Center also has also released a module on parents supporting learning during the pandemic: Supporting Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an important development on Monday, Secretary DeVos of the Department of Education decided not to recommend waiving the core requirements of the IDEA during the pandemic.  She did recommend, however, that Congress consider flexibility on the administrative requirements of the IDEA, Section 504, and the Perkins Act.