/special-education-policy Special Education Policy en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-schools-must-do-better-to-meet-idea-requirements/2023/09 More states must follow through on this law. Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-schools-must-do-better-to-meet-idea-requirements/2023/09 /teaching-learning/do-more-to-ensure-schools-meet-obligations-to-students-with-disabilities-feds-tell-states/2023/07 States must have "robust" systems to ensure schools obey federal special education law, new guidance says. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:14:17 GMT /teaching-learning/do-more-to-ensure-schools-meet-obligations-to-students-with-disabilities-feds-tell-states/2023/07 /teaching-learning/federal-special-ed-funding-is-woefully-inequitable-new-studies-show/2022/06 Outdated funding formulas continue to widen gaps that shortchange students with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, researchers say. Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:25:17 GMT /teaching-learning/federal-special-ed-funding-is-woefully-inequitable-new-studies-show/2022/06 /teaching-learning/florida-changed-rules-for-special-education-students-why-many-say-its-wrong/2021/11 The new rule contains a more specific definition of what it means to have a “most significant cognitive disability.� Thu, 04 Nov 2021 20:54:10 GMT /teaching-learning/florida-changed-rules-for-special-education-students-why-many-say-its-wrong/2021/11 /teaching-learning/school-districts-struggle-with-special-education-costs/2020/01 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. Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:05:25 GMT /teaching-learning/school-districts-struggle-with-special-education-costs/2020/01 /leadership/dealing-with-dyslexia-its-almost-like-its-a-naughty-word-video/2019/05 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. Fri, 24 May 2019 19:23:00 GMT /leadership/dealing-with-dyslexia-its-almost-like-its-a-naughty-word-video/2019/05 /teaching-learning/ed-dept-reverts-to-original-timeline-for-rules-on-racial-bias-in-special-education/2019/05 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. Tue, 21 May 2019 20:19:00 GMT /teaching-learning/ed-dept-reverts-to-original-timeline-for-rules-on-racial-bias-in-special-education/2019/05 /teaching-learning/education-department-to-appeal-decision-on-special-education-bias-rule/2019/05 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. Wed, 08 May 2019 23:33:00 GMT /teaching-learning/education-department-to-appeal-decision-on-special-education-bias-rule/2019/05 /teaching-learning/who-gets-special-education-services-it-depends-on-where-you-live-gao-report-finds/2019/04 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. Thu, 25 Apr 2019 21:45:00 GMT /teaching-learning/who-gets-special-education-services-it-depends-on-where-you-live-gao-report-finds/2019/04 /teaching-learning/spec-ed-ruling-moving-toward-implementation-a-month-after-judges-decision/2019/04 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. Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:29:43 GMT /teaching-learning/spec-ed-ruling-moving-toward-implementation-a-month-after-judges-decision/2019/04 /teaching-learning/what-special-education-cuts-are-really-proposed-in-the-trump-budget/2019/03 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. Wed, 27 Mar 2019 21:46:00 GMT /teaching-learning/what-special-education-cuts-are-really-proposed-in-the-trump-budget/2019/03 /teaching-learning/trump-plan-to-scrap-special-olympics-funding-draws-fierce-reaction/2019/03 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. Tue, 26 Mar 2019 21:25:00 GMT /teaching-learning/trump-plan-to-scrap-special-olympics-funding-draws-fierce-reaction/2019/03 /teaching-learning/will-special-education-come-up-during-devos-budget-testimony/2019/03 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. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 22:42:00 GMT /teaching-learning/will-special-education-come-up-during-devos-budget-testimony/2019/03 /teaching-learning/education-department-cant-delay-special-education-bias-rule-judge-says/2019/03 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. Thu, 07 Mar 2019 22:27:00 GMT /teaching-learning/education-department-cant-delay-special-education-bias-rule-judge-says/2019/03 /teaching-learning/national-school-boards-association-pushes-for-federal-special-education-law-overhaul/2019/03 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. Tue, 05 Mar 2019 19:11:00 GMT /teaching-learning/national-school-boards-association-pushes-for-federal-special-education-law-overhaul/2019/03 /teaching-learning/race-not-disability-status-linked-to-increased-suspension-rates/2018/12 The research team that has examined minority identification for special education has turned its attention to a new subject: suspension rates. Tue, 11 Dec 2018 21:19:00 GMT /teaching-learning/race-not-disability-status-linked-to-increased-suspension-rates/2018/12 /teaching-learning/texas-directed-to-take-additional-actions-to-remedy-special-education-violations/2018/10 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. Sat, 20 Oct 2018 14:50:00 GMT /teaching-learning/texas-directed-to-take-additional-actions-to-remedy-special-education-violations/2018/10 /teaching-learning/ed-dept-signals-new-attempt-to-address-racial-bias-in-special-education/2018/10 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. Wed, 17 Oct 2018 21:38:00 GMT /teaching-learning/ed-dept-signals-new-attempt-to-address-racial-bias-in-special-education/2018/10 /teaching-learning/michigan-administrator-tapped-to-oversee-federal-special-education-programs/2018/10 Laurie VanderPloeg, a longtime special education administrator, will take over the office of special education programs starting in November. Thu, 11 Oct 2018 20:18:00 GMT /teaching-learning/michigan-administrator-tapped-to-oversee-federal-special-education-programs/2018/10 /policy-politics/state-essa-plans-a-missed-opportunity-for-special-education-says-advocacy-group/2018/10 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. Wed, 03 Oct 2018 21:44:00 GMT /policy-politics/state-essa-plans-a-missed-opportunity-for-special-education-says-advocacy-group/2018/10 /teaching-learning/special-education-needs-rethinking-says-top-education-department-official/2018/09 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. Thu, 20 Sep 2018 21:29:00 GMT /teaching-learning/special-education-needs-rethinking-says-top-education-department-official/2018/09 /teaching-learning/majority-of-states-fall-short-on-special-education-compliance-ed-dept-says/2018/07 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. Fri, 20 Jul 2018 21:45:00 GMT /teaching-learning/majority-of-states-fall-short-on-special-education-compliance-ed-dept-says/2018/07 /teaching-learning/special-education-bias-rule-put-on-hold-for-two-years-by-devos-team/2018/06 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. Fri, 29 Jun 2018 22:00:00 GMT /teaching-learning/special-education-bias-rule-put-on-hold-for-two-years-by-devos-team/2018/06 /teaching-learning/deadline-nears-for-comments-on-delaying-special-education-bias-rule/2018/05 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. Sat, 12 May 2018 20:55:00 GMT /teaching-learning/deadline-nears-for-comments-on-delaying-special-education-bias-rule/2018/05 /teaching-learning/education-department-officially-proposes-delay-of-special-education-bias-rule/2018/02 As expected, the Education Department wants to delay by two years a rule requiring states to take a stricter approach for monitoring their districts for minority overrepresention in special education. Sat, 24 Feb 2018 01:17:00 GMT /teaching-learning/education-department-officially-proposes-delay-of-special-education-bias-rule/2018/02 /teaching-learning/2017-the-year-everyone-started-caring-about-federal-special-education-policy/2017/12 This year brought widespread interest in federal special education policy, driven by intense interest in the moves of Betsy DeVos as education secretary. Fri, 29 Dec 2017 16:51:08 GMT /teaching-learning/2017-the-year-everyone-started-caring-about-federal-special-education-policy/2017/12 /teaching-learning/senate-confirms-new-chief-for-federal-special-education-office/2017/12 Johnny Collett, a Kentucky native, will become the 10th person confirmed to lead the office of special education and rehabilitative services. Fri, 22 Dec 2017 16:51:00 GMT /teaching-learning/senate-confirms-new-chief-for-federal-special-education-office/2017/12 /teaching-learning/education-department-seeks-rollback-of-special-education-racial-disparity-rule/2017/12 States were poised to take a closer look at districts that might have minority overrepresentation, but the Education Department wants to put the rule on hold for two years. Thu, 14 Dec 2017 21:45:43 GMT /teaching-learning/education-department-seeks-rollback-of-special-education-racial-disparity-rule/2017/12 /teaching-learning/nominee-for-special-education-chief-sticks-to-script-at-confirmation-hearing/2017/12 Johnny W. Collett, nominated to lead the office for civil rights and rehabilitative services, was asked about several hot-button issues during his confirmation hearing, but kept his answers general. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:25:00 GMT /teaching-learning/nominee-for-special-education-chief-sticks-to-script-at-confirmation-hearing/2017/12 /leadership/hhs-audit-says-new-jersey-must-pay-back-hundreds-of-millions-in-medicaid-funds/2017/11 New Jersey used an incorrect method to calculate Medicaid reimbursements for services provided to students with disabilities, according to a federal audit, but the state disputes that claim. Wed, 29 Nov 2017 21:12:00 GMT /leadership/hhs-audit-says-new-jersey-must-pay-back-hundreds-of-millions-in-medicaid-funds/2017/11