Special Education Policy
Get insights into the federal, state, and local rules and polices regarding special education
Special Education
Final Rule Released on Identifying Racial Bias in Special Education
Many more school districts will be required to use special education money to address minority overrepresentation under a final rule released Monday by the U.S. Department of Education.
Special Education
What Will a Trump Administration Mean for Special Education?
In a questionnaire prepared by disability advocacy groups, the Trump campaign stressed the federal government's limited role in local education.
Special Education
Education Secretary Notes Progress, Challenges at Spec. Ed. Convention
U.S. Secretary of Education John King Jr. addressed the first joint meeting between two groups that represent district and state-level special education leaders.
School & District Management
How Texas Keeps Special Education Enrollment Low
School officials say that oversight from the state prompted them to keep special education enrollment at no more than 8.5 percent, even if that meant delaying evaluations or shifting kids into services that offered less legal obligation.
Special Education
Feds Sketch Out Details of Literacy Center for Students With Disabilities
The Every Student Succeeds Act included the creation of a comprehensive center aimed at students at risk of not attaining full literacy skills.
Special Education
Head of Special Education, Rehabilitative Services Leaving Education Department
Yudin, who has been with the U.S. Department of Education since 2010, did not say in an email to colleagues what he plans to do after leaving April 30.
Every Student Succeeds Act
ESSA Panel Weighs Rules for Testing for Those With Severe Cognitive Disabilities
Changes in the Every Student Succeeds Act will mean new regulations governing the testing of about 1 percent of students with severe cognitive disabilities.
Special Education
Racial Bias in Special Education: Learning About Disproportionality
The Education Department says that states need tighter guidelines on how to assess districts for racial and ethnic bias in special education. But just how are states figuring out if minorities are being shunted inappropriately to special education classes?
Special Education
Ed. Dept. Seeks Standard Approach to Flagging Racial Bias in Special Education
A proposed rule would require all districts to use a common yardstick in measuring whether they over-identify minority students for special education services.
Teaching Profession
Is Special Education Paperwork Really a Problem?
Spoiler alert: Yes, many think so. But a federal report says district leaders also acknowledge paperwork's importance, and say state and local requirements impose their own burdens.
Special Education
Hillary Clinton's Autism Policy Proposal Takes Birth-Through-Adulthood Approach
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton reached out to advocacy groups in formulating policy priorities around supporting children, youth and adults with autism. The proposal was released Tuesday.
Special Education
Hillary Clinton Unveils Autism Support Proposal
Clinton's plan would address the use of restraint and seclusion and expand the use of early screenings, among other proposals.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Your Favorite Special Education Posts of 2015
A wide variety of posts engaged readers of this blog in 2015, including posts about federal guidance, teaching, and special education law.
Special Education
Federal Special Education Official to Step Down by Year's End
Melody Musgrove, currently the director of the office of special education programs, will be returning to her home in Mississippi.