SELPA Updates to Families

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Dear Special Education Families and Caregivers:

We are writing to update our letter from March 23, 2020. SFUSD staff have been working to develop plans for providing students with disabilities with equal access to educational opportunities and the provision of a free appropriate public education considering the “Shelter-in-Place” Order, dated March 31, 2020. Beginning the week of April 6, Case Managers will be reaching out to parents regarding an individualized Distance Learning Plan, which is grounded in each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), and amended for distance learning. SFUSD will provide a Prior Written Notice, outlining the details of the Distance Learning Plan, and an opportunity to hold a remote IEP meeting to discuss and consent to the Distance Learning Plan. 

We also wanted to clarify the reference to the emergency legislation (SB 117), which was passed in California on March 17, 2020. SFUSD recognizes that only certain special education timelines are held in abeyance. In addition, SFUSD staff will be collaborating with each family to assess whether it makes sense to hold, for example, an annual IEP remotely or in abeyance. Similarly, in terms of evaluations, assessors will discuss options with parents for completing evaluations such as records reviews and interviews, or whether holding the assessment in abeyance during this period is the most appropriate option for the student. To the extent possible, staff hopes to move forward with IEPs and evaluations in order to ensure that when students return to “regular” school sessions, a plan is in place to support your child.

For additional information and resources you can use the following links:  

• SFUSD Family Resources includes information for food distribution, technology deployment and other resources
• SFUSD Resources for Learning
• Please visit our website for more special education updates as they occur

Our goal is to work together to support each student’s learning during these difficult times. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher to discuss options and collaborate. 

Be well,
Jill Hoogendyk, Chief of Staff
Acting Chief of Special Education