New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline

Minnesota Department of Education sent this bulletin at 07/20/2022 11:56 AM CDT
Minnesota Department of Education

Special Education Updates

July 20, 2022

New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the release of new guidance from its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to help public elementary and secondary schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline.

These newly released resources are the most comprehensive guidance on the civil rights of students with disabilities concerning student discipline and build on the Department’s continued efforts to support students and schools through pandemic recovery.

The guidance makes clear that schools do not need to choose between complying with Section 504 and IDEA and keeping their school community—including students and staff—safe.

All these documents can be found on the ED's School Climate and Student Discipline Resources website.

The Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) Special Education Division works toward its vision that all children get necessary support for healthy development and lifelong learning; its mission is to provide leadership to ensure a high-quality education for Minnesota's children and youth with disabilities. To learn more, visit the Special Education section of the MDE website.