From the Washington Post:
“The District has made progress toward complying with federal special-education law, the U.S. Education Department reported last week, but the city continues to be one of a handful of jurisdictions that lag far behind expectations for serving children with disabilities.
In the parlance of the federal government, special education in the city “needs intervention.” But in the words of D.C. parents, advocates and politicians, special education is in crisis and requires systemic changes to ensure that the city’s 13,000 special-needs children are getting the services they legally deserve.
The D.C. Council is considering wide-ranging legislation that would speed the delivery of services and change the balance of power between parents and schools, handing families new tools in disputes over appropriate services for their children…”