Independent study out of reach for special education students

Some students can’t attend in-person school because they are at high risk for Covid-19. Nine-year-old Liam in Long Beach, for example, has chronic lung disease. But Liam’s school district told his family he couldn’t enroll in independent study either, because he has special needs that couldn’t be accommodated.

So Liam — and thousands of other special education students – are in limbo. His mother and other parents have joined a civil rights complaint to try to push the state and school districts to help their students.

Guests:

• Kirsten Nielsen, Mother, Long Beach
• Carolyn Jones, Senior Reporter, EdSource

Read more EdSource stories on this topic:

• California independent study sparks equity concerns for students with disabilities