What We Have Seen So Far Due to COVID-19

The unprecedented closing of schools for two and a half months along with the abrupt switch to various quickly implemented formats of remote instruction, seriously impacted student learning last spring.  Additionally, many of those students who were on IEPs or 504 Plans encountered “adjustments” to their services which exacerbated the impact of the general closing of schools.  While most schools have tried to re-establish as much in-person, typical instruction as possible, many students, if not most, have faced additional new and unique challenges as the 2020-21 school year has gotten underway.  Consequently, there continues to be significant need for problem solving to address the unique, individualized, COVID-19 caused issues students are encountering. 

Requests for Services for COVID-19 Issues That We Have Received

Following are some COVID-19 related issues that have been brought to us by parents as a result of the unprecedented closing of schools last spring, the abrupt switch to various formats of  remote instruction, and less than full in-person instruction this school year:

• Regression or significant slowing of progress in general education as measured by standardized curriculum-based measures and/or teacher assigned grades
• Loss of interest and disengagement/or from school due to the spring school closure and changing schedules and instructional formats
  
• Inability to navigate the school's remote learning platform or multiple platforms
  
• Lingering issues caused by unilateral reductions to IEP services that were made to accommodate various remote and blended learning scenarios during the emergency closing of schools
• Slowing or regression of progress on IEP goals and objectives due to ineffective delivery of Specially Designed Instruction and/or other IEP services due to altered schedules
  
• Suspension of Section 504 supports, accommodations, and services during remote and blended learning scenarios
  

Our Services and COVID-19 Issues
All services will continue to be individualized in order to address the various educational issues children are experiencing.  Given what we have seen as schools reconvened this year, we believe that our 50 plus years of experiences in instruction, special education, educational problem solving, educational leadership, and educational consulting will greatly facilitate our efforts to assist parents to address any new challenges their children may face now that school is back in session.