Category Archives: Other Dear Colleague Letters

Ensuring Equity and Providing Behavioral Supports to Students with Disabilities

Date: August 4th, 2016 in Other Dear Colleague Letters

U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance to Schools on Ensuring Equity and Providing Behavioral Supports to Students with Disabilities

AUGUST 4, 2016
Contact:   Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) today issued guidance in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) that emphasizes the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities who need them.
 … Read the rest

Dear Colleague Letter: Students with Disabilities in Extracurricular Athletics

Date: January 25th, 2013 in Other Dear Colleague Letters

Background and Fast Facts

PDF (245K)

Background

On January 25, 2013, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a Dear Colleague Letter (“Guidance”) clarifying the existing obligations of school districts to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in extracurricular athletics. You can find the Guidance at http://www.ed.gov/ocr/letters/colleague-201301-504.pdf. … Read the rest

OCR letter on potential civil rights violations by bullying and harassment

Date: October 26th, 2010 in Other Dear Colleague Letters
The following is a 2010 Dear Colleague letter by OCR which elaborated on potential violations when bullying and harassment is based on race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Fast facts here. October 26, 2010 Dear Colleague: In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. … Read the rest

Dear Colleague Letter: Harassment and Bullying (October 26, 2010) Background, Summary, and Fast Facts

Date: October 6th, 2010 in Other Dear Colleague Letters
PDF (117K) What are the possible effects of student-on-student harassment and bullying?
  • Lowered academic achievement and aspirations
  • Increased anxiety
  • Loss of self-esteem and confidence
  • Depression and post-traumatic stress
  • General deterioration in physical health
  • Self-harm and suicidal thinking
  • Feelings of alienation in the school environment, such as fear of other children
  • Absenteeism from school
What does the Dear Colleague letter (DCL) do? … Read the rest

Prohibited Disability Harassment – Dear Colleague Letter

Date: July 25th, 2000 in Other Dear Colleague Letters
[From here] Reminder of Responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202 July 25, 2000 Dear Colleague: On behalf of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. … Read the rest