The Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education has opened an investigation into the states except school mask mandates to determine whether these rules discriminate against students with disabilities who are at higher risk for serious illness COVID-19[feminine[feminine.
The Department of Education sent letters to top school officials in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah, stating that bans on mask requirements prevent schools from creating a safe environment for students with underlying medical conditions. related to a disability. The research was announced on what marked the first day of school for many children in the U.S., as the cultural war for mask warrants only heats up more.
The Office of Civil Rights said they have not opened an investigation Florida, TexasArizona or Arkansas because these prohibitions are not being met, either by court orders or for some other reason.
“The department has heard from parents across the country, especially parents of students with disabilities and underlying medical conditions, about how state bans on universal indoor masking put their children at risk and prevent them from accessing face-to-face learning in the same way “. said the Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. “It is simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics above the health and education of the students they swore. The department will fight to protect the right of all students to access face-to-face learning safely. and the rights of local educators to participate. Put in place policies that allow all students to return to the classroom full time in person safely this fall. ”
The Department of Education said research will focus on whether states comply with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits entities from excluding people with disabilities from receiving equal opportunities for benefits and services. .
“Unfortunately, this is just another attempt by the Biden administration and to force a radical liberal agenda on states and individuals who disagree with them,” said Brian Symmes, communications director for the governor of South Carolina. , Henry McMaster, in response to research news. “Governor McMaster will not stand for it because he knows that parents, not federal bureaucrats, know what is best for their children. Under South Carolina law, anyone who wants to wear a mask, at school or at school Elsewhere, it’s free to do so, but the governor will not ignore the fundamental right of parents to make decisions about their children’s health. “
Ahead of the official announcement of an investigation on August 26, Utah Governor Spencer Cox sent a letter to President Biden stating a previous letter from Cardona expressing concern over Utah’s masking in schools was amazing “given Secretary Cardona’s enthusiastic approval of Utah’s school plan last month.”
Mr. Biden had written a note ordering Cardona to consider all the tools at his disposal within the law to ensure that students can learn safely in person.
Mr Biden has criticized GOP governors who have taken steps to ban mask requirements, especially in schools. Earlier this month, he said he found it “totally counterintuitive” and “false” that some Republican governors complaining about federal overstretching had been pushing to ban mask warrants imposed by local jurisdictions and schools. .
Add Comment