On the bottom right hand side of the screen, you’ll see a new and spiffy blogroll. My old list of “blogs I follow” had fallen into a sad compendium of broken links and websites that hadn’t been updated in ages. Thanks to some recommendations from readers, I’ve made changes. I’d particularly like to draw attention to California Father, a special educator and father of a son with autism. He is kind enough to post comments here and his blog is a good read.
(A disclaimer: inclusion in the blogroll does not mean I endorse all the views expressed in these blogs. I offer the list as a snapshot of the special education blogosphere.)
Another change: in the upper right, you’ll see a new face. Nirvi Shah, who joined the paper this week, will be covering special education full time and writing for On Special Education, while I switch to the district leadership beat. Those of you who follow other Ed Week blogs may have noticed that I have been filling in over at District Dossier, and that will now become my new blog home.
I have mentioned before that my introduction to special education came when I was hired the same month that the new Individuals With Disabilities Education Act was reauthorized. That is the reporter equivalent of diving into the deep end of the pool, and I had no idea then just how deep it was. But with the invaluable help of too many people to name, I didn’t drown—and over time, I actually managed to swim a little bit on my own. Interacting with parents, advocates, federal officials, researchers, school administrators, teachers, and students has been an enlightening and often moving experience. Special education is a tight-knit world, and I’m glad to have been a part of it these past six years. I thank you.
So, welcome to Nirvi, and if you’re interested in district coverage, feel free to come visit District Dossier!