OCR Receives Record Number of Special Ed Complaints

OCR has received more complaints in the past three years (2009-2011) than ever before regarding disability-related issues.  The US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights ("OCR") enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, age, and disability.  However, during the period between 2009-2011, 55% of the complaints received by OCR dealt with disability-related issues.  The top disability-related complaint concerned FAPE, but other issues raised by complaints included retaliation, academic adjustments, denial of benefits, and harassment.

OCR's publication, "Disability Rights Enforcement Highlights," can be accessed here.

Meghan Covert Russell

Twitter Town Hall 4/11 Hosted by Council for Exceptional Children

On Wednesday, April 11 at noon PST, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Alexa Posny, will host a Twitter Town Hall discussion.  The discussion, which coincides with CEC's Annual Conference and Expo, will focus on "the importance of early learning, great teachers and leaders, high student achievement, and college and career readiness as we strive to improve results and outcomes for all infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities."

To participate, use the hashtag #CECTownHall or follow @usedgov, @arneduncan and @CECMembership.  

For more information, visit the US Department of Education's blog post here.

Meghan Covert Russell

You can also read these blog posts and other education and law-related news on Twitter by following @MeghanCRussell