Special Education Policy
Get insights into the federal, state, and local rules and polices regarding special education
Special Education
How Trump's Policies Could Affect Special Education
The new administration's stance on special education isn't yet clear—but efforts to revamp federal policy could have ripple effects.
English Learners
English Learners With Disabilities: The Rules Schools Have to Follow
Schools can't force English learners with disabilities to choose between special ed. and language instruction—and other tips from OCR.
Special Education
Letter to the Editor
Schools Must Do Better to Meet IDEA Requirements
More states must follow through on this law.
Special Education
Do More to Ensure Schools Meet Obligations to Students With Disabilities, Feds Tell States
States must have "robust" systems to ensure schools obey federal special education law, new guidance says.
Special Education
What the Research Says
Federal Special Ed. Funding Is Woefully Inequitable, New Studies Show
Outdated funding formulas continue to widen gaps that shortchange students with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, researchers say.
Special Education
Florida Changed Rules for Special Education Students. Why Many Say It’s Wrong
The new rule contains a more specific definition of what it means to have a “most significant cognitive disability.”
Special Education
School Districts Struggle With Special Education Costs
For decades, special education advocates have urged the federal government to "fully fund" the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Here are some examples 'ripped from the headlines' of how the funding gap is affecting school districts.
Equity & Diversity
Dealing With Dyslexia: 'It's Almost Like It's a Naughty Word' (Video)
When Scott Gann learned his son Dustin had dyslexia, he was shocked at the school's reaction. No one there wanted to use the word.
Special Education
Ed. Dept. Reverts to Original Timeline for Rules on Racial Bias in Special Education
The action is expected to prompt a scramble among states relying on an earlier delay in the policy involving disproportional representation of minorities in special education.
Special Education
Education Department to Appeal Decision on Special Education Bias Rule
The action is the latest in a long-running legal dispute that has the potential to affect millions of dollars in federal special education funding.
Special Education
Who Gets Special Education Services? It Depends on Where You Live, GAO Report Finds
States identify students with disabilities at varying rates because because of different state and district policies, says a report from the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog agency.
Special Education
Spec. Ed. Ruling 'Moving Toward Implementation' a Month After Judge's Decision
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was asked why it has taken so long to get guidance to states about a ruling that could affect how many districts use their federal special education money.
Special Education
What Special Education Cuts Are Really Proposed in the Trump Budget?
Social media has been full of anger over a special education "cut" that isn't really a part of the Trump administration's proposed budget.
Special Education
Trump Plan to Scrap Special Olympics Funding Draws Fierce Reaction
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos drew fire on social media after a congressional budget hearing at which she discussed proposed cuts, including to the program that fosters sports competition among children and adults with intellectual disabilities.