Secretary DeVos Pushing for In-Person Student Learning Despite Rising Coronavirus Cases
August 1, 2020
As states continue to navigate the specifics of starting the school year amid a global pandemic, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has communicated an expectation to states, districts, and even educators that student learning will continue despite localized virus realities. In driving forward this message, the Department of Education seems reluctant to issue additional waivers of federal requirements for states and districts, including testing requirements laid out by ESSA and special education requirements established by IDEA. In an effort to establish a middle ground, some advocates are urging education leaders to consider options that would not require blanket waivers of federal requirements or “abandon the idea of accountability altogether.”