In a relief to families of children with disabilities in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has hinted that the state might allow schools to let children with disabilities back to the classroom in small groups.
Detailed guidelines on resumption are expected this week, as per new reports.
Presented at a press conference last week, the governor’s plan could be an option even for counties that are on the state’s COVID-19 watchlist and are prohibited from fully opening schools.
“There are simply kids that will never, ever have that quality of learning that we all desire to advance online, no matter what kind of support we provide, even if we individualize it,” he was quoted as saying
If and when the special needs plan gets the green light, educators and parents will need to be flexible with students who choose to come back, said Aubyn Stahmer, a researcher and psychologist at the UC Davis MIND Institute. “It may mean a great deal of backtracking to where kids were in March,” she said.
Stahmer works primarily with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who often struggle with focus, social interaction and information processing. Autistic students may have trouble learning via Zoom, especially if their parents are busy working or caring for other children, she said.
And if they return to in-person schooling this year, they’ll have to adjust to yet another change in routine.
“There may be kids who haven’t had social interaction for six months,” Stahmer said. “And if you have autism and that’s already somewhat challenging … it might cause more anxiety. So that catch-up might take a little longer.”
Decisions to invite any students back into classrooms would have to be made in consultation with county health departments and in accordance with state guidelines.
Dave Gordon, Superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education, said the decision to bring special needs children back to school also involves discussions with employee unions, to make sure staff feel safe interacting with students.
He says school districts have worked hard to ensure children with disabilities get the attention they need.
“It’s a really difficult burden on the kids and on the families, and frankly on our staff because they’re used to providing the services hands-on,” he said. “None of it is easy, and none of it is satisfying to families or to the kids who benefit so much from the in-person contact.”
Advocates for children with disabilities have been vocal about the lack of tailored services from school districts. In April, several groups sent a letter to Gov. Newsom and other elected officials calling for revamped education plans for each student, adaptive learning technology, private tutoring and other accommodations.
As part of the state budget process this spring, California passed a law requiring districts to make emergency distance learning plans for all special education students, to be used in situations where school is closed for more than 10 days.
Several California schools are looking at ways to get students with disabilities in-person help. In Marin County, a handful of special needs students were able to attend a special summer school program overseen by the Marin County Office of Education and the local health department.
