The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating Seattle Public Schools

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating Seattle Public Schools

The district was also slow to provide services to students who needed instruction or support in person. By the end of October this year, the district was serving only one special education student in person, while its neighbors served hundreds. 

Those parents said they were floored to learn their children wouldn’t receive makeup time. Other children sat for months on wait lists to get evaluated for services that are critical to keeping them engaged and on track.

 Concie Pedroza, who oversees special education as chief of student supports for Seattle Schools, declined an interview request. In a written statement she said that in the spring “staff were focused on providing resources and modifications to students so that they could make progress on their [Individualized Education Program] goals.”

Pedroza acknowledged that there were some issues, stating: “Throughout the first few weeks of school closure, we recognize that there was a slight disruption in services while we worked to get devices and technology to our staff and students to support remote learning.”

It was more than a “slight disruption in services,” said one district special education teacher, who asked to have her name withheld for fear of retaliation.

“We were told not to deliver specially-designed instruction,” she said, adding they were not allowed to adapt lessons to each child’s needs, as federal law requires. “I just couldn’t believe it.”

https://www.kuow.org/stories/families-of-seattle-special-education-students