Hunter
08/31/21
The US Department of Education opened investigations in Iowa and four other states to explore whether their prohibitions on universal indoor mask mandates discriminate against students with disabilities who are at high risk for COVID-19 related severe illness by preventing them from safely accessing in-person education.
A release from the Department says that Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah are part of their investigation. Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona are not part of the initial investigation, as bans there are not currently being enforced as a result of court orders or other state actions.
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum directing Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to assess all available tools in taking lawful action to ensure all students have the opportunity to remain in full time in-person learning safely, without compromising the health of the students or their families. Secretary Cardona also sent letters to each of the states, noting that school districts should have the right to protect the health and safety of their students and educators.
In a response to the letter, Governor Kim Reynolds said the Biden Administration is picking a political fight “to distract from his own failures-Afghanistan, the border, inflation, and more.” She reiterated her belief in Iowans to do the right thing, concluding, “we will continue to support individual liberty over government mandates.”