SC New York News

Binghamton, NY – On the eve of the four-year anniversary of Upstate New York schools closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) has put forth the Think DIFFERENTLY About Ending Learning Loss Act. This bipartisan legislation, developed in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-3), aims to tackle the challenges faced by students with disabilities in the wake of the pandemic.

Amidst prolonged closures, mask mandates, and various restrictions, students with disabilities found themselves significantly impacted, lacking access to essential therapies and spending extended periods away from the classroom. This situation led to the abandonment of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals that had previously been set for these students.

The Think DIFFERENTLY About Ending Learning Loss Act, introduced by Rep. Molinaro, calls for the Department of Education to undertake a comprehensive study on the repercussions of learning loss among students with disabilities during the pandemic. Through this study, the specific needs of these students will be emphasized, enabling educators, parents, and policymakers to devise well-informed solutions to combat learning setbacks.

In expressing the rationale behind the bill, Rep. Molinaro noted, "Very little attention has been given to the educational needs of students with disabilities and the setbacks they endured during the pandemic. As a father of a child on the autism spectrum, I saw learning loss firsthand. We can’t allow students with disabilities to just be left behind. This bipartisan effort will work to ensure students with disabilities get additional support to address the learning loss that occurred.”

The Think DIFFERENTLY About Ending Learning Loss Act is a proactive step towards recognizing and rectifying the educational challenges faced by students with disabilities following the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.