A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report late last week—completed as part of the GAO's COVID-19 monitoring and oversight responsibilities under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act—detailed the challenges of distance learning for 5 million English language learners (ELL) and more than 7 million students who receive special education services.Both these groups face persistent achievement gaps.In March, school districts across the country rapidly shifted to distance learning.
The US Department of Education (ED) issued guidance to schools in March and May to ensure that they continue to accommodate special education students during remote learning, but the guidance acknowledged that services may suffer.Lack of