Teacher Furloughs Put IEPs In Jeopardy, Parents Say

Parents of special education students in Hawaii are considering filing a lawsuit against the state to stop teacher furloughs slated to begin later this month.

The furloughs would pull teachers from the classroom for 17 days this school year and 24 days next year in an effort to save money and help close the state’s budget gap, which is nearly $1 billion.

But parents say such teacher absences will prevent the proper implementation of special education students’ individualized education plans.

State education leaders say they have instructed school officials to evaluate students’ IEPs and find ways to fulfill the obligations within them while following through on the furlough plan, reports the Honolulu Advertiser. To read more click here.