New guidance from the U.S. Department of Education about school districts’ responsibilities to address bullying of students with disabilities

Earlier this month, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued guidance in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter that provides an overview of school districts’ responsibilities to address bullying of students with disabilities. Under IDEA, States and school districts are obligated to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.  This guidance specifically states that bullying of a student with disabilities, regardless of whether or not the bullying is related to the student’s disability, is considered a denial of FAPE if it results in the student not getting meaningful educational benefit.  

Read the Dear Colleague Letter and learn more about effective practices for preventing and addressing bullying on the U.S. Department of Education website.