Special Education Policy

Get insights into the federal, state, and local rules and polices regarding special education
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.
Christina A. Samuels, March 5, 2019
2 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, December 11, 2018
2 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, October 20, 2018
2 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, October 17, 2018
2 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, October 11, 2018
1 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, October 3, 2018
2 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, September 20, 2018
1 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, July 20, 2018
2 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, June 29, 2018
3 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, May 12, 2018
3 min read
Special Education Education Department Officially Proposes Delay of Special Education Bias Rule
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.
Christina A. Samuels, February 23, 2018
2 min read
Special Education 2017: The Year Everyone Started Caring About Federal Special Education Policy
This year brought widespread interest in federal special education policy, driven by intense interest in the moves of Betsy DeVos as education secretary.
Christina A. Samuels, December 29, 2017
3 min read
Special Education Senate Confirms New Chief for Federal Special Education Office
Johnny Collett, a Kentucky native, will become the 10th person confirmed to lead the office of special education and rehabilitative services.
Christina A. Samuels, December 22, 2017
1 min read
Special Education Education Department Seeks Rollback of Special Education Racial-Disparity Rule
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.
Christina A. Samuels, December 14, 2017
2 min read