Despite disruptions in school due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Chris Sununu says he will not waive requirements for special education.
Over 30,000 K-12 students in New Hampshire are legally entitled to special ed services, but many of these were postponed or limited during statewide school closures earlier this year.
In an executive order anticipated Thursday, Sununu says schools are still required to provide special education services, even if they are reopening with a remote or hybrid model.
"Will it be easy to meet the needs? No, it's not, but I think we understand we need to get out of our comfort zone and do whatever is neccessary, because it is about these kids," Sununu said.
The state is also requiring schools to conduct individual assessments of all special ed students by the end of September.
This executive order, which was signed in May, drew praise from special education advocates and concern from some school districts.
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COVID and The Classroom: NHPR wants to understand how this unusual school year is playing out across the state. Every few weeks, we'll ask you to answer a new question. The latest: How has going back to school been different for you this year? Give us a few examples here to help us tell the story.
