Special Education

Rethinking dyslexia: Shifting our focus from diagnosis to instruction

"Dysteachia" results in massive numbers of children who cannot read and causes districts to become so overwhelmed with providing intervention that they may inadvertently overlook the issues in general education instruction.

How to support special education through technology and collaboration

By leveraging adaptive technologies, fostering collaboration between technology and special education teams, and providing ongoing professional development, districts can create an inclusive environment where all students thrive.

‘Talking Out of School’: How charter schools can improve special education

In the latest episode of District Administration's "Talking Out of School" podcast, Lauren Morando Rhim, executive director of the Center for Learner Equity, details her organization’s pivotal two-year study of how charter schools support students with disabilities.

3 ways to improve postsecondary planning for special education students

When we highlight transition skills with our special education students, we build and deepen the connections between “what we do today” and “how it will impact us in the future.”

School boarding meetings: How much time is devoted STEM?

In some states, nearly half of district school boards prioritized STEM/STEAM-related topics, new Burbio data suggests.

Even if you don’t have kids, special education still impacts you

In the world of special education, each case is like a microcosm of how the problem is playing out across the country. Every party is unhappy and frustrated with the situation.

How to find inclusive edtech for neurodiverse students

The goal of inclusive learning is not to create separate solutions for neurodiverse and neurotypical learners but to develop solutions that can foster richer learning experiences for everyone.

Revolutionizing special education: New partnership innovates data collection

For K12 superintendents and educational leaders, staying abreast of technological advancements is particularly important when it comes to addressing the unique needs of special education programs.

How special education directors can build the best teams

Special education directors must prioritize hiring individuals with the necessary skills and experience, as well as those who share a commitment to serving students with disabilities.

Safe trips: Why more schools are hiring transportation monitors

Their role goes beyond simply being an extra pair of eyes—they can be instrumental in creating a controlled, safe, and peaceful environment for the nation’s most vulnerable students.

5 ways to support and elevate your special education teachers

Special education teachers and coordinators are pulled in a million directions, often doing the jobs of three people, working long hours and battling burnout.

IDEA guidance: How districts can strengthen their special education programs

Special education programs must have benchmarks and processes that allow districts to measure and adjust interventions for each student.

What’s in store for special education and edtech? Leaders weigh in

In this panel, FETC Conference Chair Jennifer Womble is joined by several superintendents and experts who share their advice for district leaders on how to address the growing concerns surrounding special education and how to leverage assistive technology to meet students' needs.

These are the top 10 topics school boards are discussing right now

This may come as news to some superintendents and district leaders: Book bans and pride flags are not the main topics of discussion at every school board meeting in the country. Still, school boards are grappling with some complicated topics.

How to more effectively monitor IDEA while data drives improvements

More than half of the 50 states and the District of Columbia failed to comply with IDEA Part B, the federal law that requires states to provide free and appropriate education for students with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21.

3 ways to support the special education pros who remain during shortages

Research shows that one-third of novice special education teachers in the United States will quit within the first three years of employment. Before the feelings of burnout crept in, these professionals had passion.

5 ways to build strong family relationships around speech therapy

It’s hard for a child to become invested in their therapy if they have family members who don’t believe they need it or if there is a misunderstanding that the therapy alone will address the concerns.

This superintendent wants everyone to know his district’s 4 big philosophies

At the top of Superintendent Rupak Gandhi's summer to-do list is telling everyone that Fargo Public Schools is about honesty in education, supporting the LGBTQ+ community and disability justice.

One more Texas takeover: State seizing control of special ed in Austin ISD

Texas Education Agency officials said in a 31-page report that Austin ISD failed to follow a state-imposed improvement plan that found the district did not evaluate students in need of special education or provide services to those students.

Should more states resort to ’emergency permits’ to hire special ed staff?

In Texas, districts are allowed to use emergency permits to hire non-certified teachers to meet staffing needs. One district has tripled its special ed staff hiring numbers this school year, but is it worth it?

5 ways to help special education students reach their learning goals

Evidence-based practice-enabled platforms let teachers create individual learning opportunities for students in special education.

Digital Wellness: Supporting Social-Emotional Learning Through Technology

Thursday, February 16 at 3 pm ET

Attend this web seminar to learn more about digital wellness and how to leverage existing tools in your district to promote SEL and the digital wellbeing of students.

Feds reach deal to protect disabled students in Florida district from seclusion

Students with disabilities will no longer face disciplinary isolation after a federal investigation found they had been physically and verbally abused in Florida's Okaloosa County School District.

Why accessibility tools and apps can be a boon for all students

By definition, documents and web pages are accessible when individuals with disabilities can engage the content; however, everyone benefits from what these tools can do.

What do school leaders need to know to help disabled students rebound?

Unknowns include how many students are being identified for special education, how many students are awaiting services and whether underqualified teachers are filling vacancies.

Why special education services in Head Start programs are falling behind

Special education services and individualized education programs aren't being fully implemented in a timely letter, officials write.

4 reasons these are the hardest school positions to staff right now

Special education teachers and transportation staff accounted for the most concerning school staff shortages, a survey finds.

Special education placement is a rather moral and ethical question

Researchers call for ambitious transformation in K-12 education to provide inclusive learning opportunities for students with disabilities.

4 ways Black students with disabilities will get equal access in school

Black students with disabilities more often receive "stigmatizing classifications" such as developmental delay but their parents have more difficulty accessing special support.

How are special education schools retaining highly qualified teachers?

Administrators and principals must balance recruiting special education teachers with providing support to retain those teachers.

Get ready for substitutes in special education classrooms

Using case law and hypothetical scenarios, new guide illustrates a school district's legal obligations and consequences for failing to fulfill them.

New guidance from DOE addresses disciplinary practices for students with disabilities

At a time when mental health challenges have become a top priority for K-12 schools across the country, the Education Department released new guidance on discriminatory discipline practices for students with disabilities.

How an innovative tech program opens career paths for students with visual impairments

More than 90% of the pilot program's participants said they planned to study cybersecurity in college, pursue cybersecurity credentials or go directly into the cybersecurity workforce.

How potential Title IX overhaul expands protections for students with disabilities

After more than a year and on the 50th anniversary of the law, the U.S. Department of Education has proposed updates to Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal funding.

Be a presenter at LRP’s 44th National Institute

The deadline to submit your proposal is June 27, 2022.