Special Education Policy
Get insights into the federal, state, and local rules and polices regarding special education
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.
Special Education
Will Special Education Come Up During DeVos' Budget Testimony?
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will likely spend much of her time discussing proposed departmental cuts, but special education funding is not facing any decreases in the proposed fiscal 2020 budget.
Special Education
Education Department Can't Delay Special Education Bias Rule, Judge Says
The rule requires states to use a standard method in determining if districts are biased in how they identify minority students, discipline them, or place them in restrictive settings.
Special Education
National School Boards Association Pushes for Federal Special Education Law Overhaul
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was last revamped in 2004, and the NSBA would like to see Congress take on reauthorization as well as increase funding to states.
Special Education
Race, Not Disability Status, Linked to Increased Suspension Rates
The research team that has examined minority identification for special education has turned its attention to a new subject: suspension rates.
Special Education
Texas Directed to Take Additional Actions to Remedy Special Education Violations
Thousands of Texas children are believed to have been kept from special education services because of a now-prohibited special education enrollment target of 8.5 percent, which is well below the national average.
Special Education
Ed. Dept. Signals New Attempt to Address Racial Bias in Special Education
The Education Department has concerns with an Obama-era approach to addressing potential overrepresentation of minorities in special education, so it plans to tackle the issue itself.
Special Education
Michigan Administrator Tapped to Oversee Federal Special Education Programs
Laurie VanderPloeg, a longtime special education administrator, will take over the office of special education programs starting in November.
Every Student Succeeds Act
State ESSA Plans A 'Missed Opportunity' for Special Education, Says Advocacy Group
Most states' plans Every Student Succeeds Act plans could do more to push rigorous goals and adequate supports for students with disabilities, according to an analysis from the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Special Education
Special Education Needs Rethinking, Says Top Education Department Official
A new statement from the head of the federal office of special education outlines a department role based on offering "flexibility and support" to states.
Special Education
Majority of States Fall Short on Special Education Compliance, Ed. Dept. Says
States are evaluated by the Education Department each year in how well they meet both the regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as well as how students with disabilities are performing academically.
Special Education
Special Education Bias Rule Put on Hold for Two Years by DeVos Team
As expected, the Education Department has delayed a rule that would require states to take a standardized approach in evaluating districts for minority bias in special education.
Special Education
Deadline Nears for Comments on Delaying Special Education Bias Rule
More than 200 commenters have already submitted comments on an Education Department proposal to put off a change in how states evaluate districts for "significant disproportionality" in identifying and enrolling special education students.
