AJE feels as if it is important to share these Education Review Updates with our community.

SUPPORTING ALL STUDENTS

Recognizing World Mental Health Day (October 10), the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Department of Justice jointly issued a fact sheet to support students with mental health disabilities, their families, and their schools during the pandemic.  OCR also released a letter to educators highlighting the civil rights obligations of schools and institutions to students with mental health disabilities (Secretary’s tweet and Twitter thread).

OCR’s June 2021 report, “Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on America’s Students,” showed that COVID-19 has had disproportionately harsh effects on many students with disabilities.  This latest action responds to the pandemic’s effects on students’ mental health.

The fact sheet, titled “Supporting and Protecting the Rights of Students at Risk of Self-Harm in the Era of COVID-19,” provides information about federal civil rights laws that protect students with mental health disabilities.  It includes scenarios that illustrate when OCR might investigate a potential violation; gives schools and institutions a list of action steps to create an environment that is responsive to students with mental health disabilities; and provides educational and crisis resources for students, families, and educators.

UPCOMING EVENTS

International Education Week (November 15-19), a joint initiative of the Departments of Education and State, celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.