On Special Education
Explored the opportunities and obstacles educators encounter while serving students with special needs, including children with disabilities, gifted students, and those who are homeless or incarcerated. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: students with disabilities, gifted education, and homeless.
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
Are Students With 'Reading Barriers' Ready to Start the New School Year?
Benetech, which oversees a federally-funded initiative to provide accessible texts, says teachers are more likely to see their students as prepared if their technology needs are met.
States
Special Educators Missing Vital Training on Reading Skills, Says New Report
The National Council on Teacher Quality says that all states should be assessing whether special education teachers understand research-based reading instruction.
Special Education
Parkland Shooting Report Sharpens Focus on Special Education and Due Process
In a contentious meeting in his junior year, then 18-year-old Nikolas Cruz revoked his consent for special education services after he was told that was the only way he could stay at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. But there were other options, said a report released by a firm hired by the Broward School district.
Special Education
Inclusion Alone Not Enough to Boost Special Education Results, Expert Says
Allison Gilmour, a professor at Temple University, argues that schools need to look more at what services are provided to students with disabilities, not just the setting where those students are educated.
Teaching Profession
What Does Good Special Education Teaching Look Like?
Four new videos show effective special education teaching in action, part of a project illustrating "high-leverage practices" that special education teachers should master and that are applicable to other teachers as well.
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
School Accessibility Gets $150 Million Boost in N.Y.C. Budget
The money, which will be allocated over three years, is expected to make major and minor improvements to schools throughout the city.
Law & Courts
Hawaii Settles Lawsuit on Illegal Age Limit for Special Education
About $8 million will be eligible for compensatory education to students who were affected by an illegal state-imposed age cap on special education enrollment.
Law & Courts
Education Department Sued Over New Approach to Civil Rights Complaints
Three advocacy organizations say that the Education Department's office for civil rights can't simply ignore the complaints of those who have filed serial complaints and must investigate first.
Teaching Profession
Teachers of Students With Behavior Problems Want Help Finding Evidence-Based Tools
A survey of educators around the country found that many reported looking up interventions on their own, when they really wanted more formal training, a survey found.
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.
Education Funding
How Can 'Pay for Success' Models Support Special Education?
Pay-for-success funding approaches have mostly focused on driving down special education enrollment, but these public-private partnerships can also support special education programs, an advocacy organization says.
