On Nov. 10, the U.S. Department of Education released a letter to state directors of special education with resources, guidance and important principles to help states, school districts, families and others ensure the rights of highly-mobile children with disabilities.
The letter addresses concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the unique educational needs of highly mobile children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It also provides an updated list of resources to support them and insights on improving educational stability and post-school outcomes for highly mobile children.
“Ensuring a high-quality education for highly mobile children is a critical responsibility for all of us. Highly mobile children include children and youth experiencing frequent moves into new school districts, such as military-connected children, migratory children, children who are homeless, and children in the foster care system,” the letter states. “While these children often possess remarkable resilience, they also experience formidable challenges as they cope with frequent educational transitions. Additionally, highly mobile children who are not fully oriented into new and varying school expectations may have difficulty communicating their needs or concerns within these new contexts.”