On Special Education
Explored the opportunities and obstacles educators encounter while serving students with special needs, including children with disabilities, gifted students, and those who are homeless or incarcerated. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: students with disabilities, gifted education, and homeless.
Early Childhood
Comments Sought on Effort to Promote Inclusive Early-Childhood Programs
Young children with disabilities are often placed in segregated settings, as opposed to the least-restrictive environment that can meet their needs, says a draft policy statement from two federal agencies.
Special Education
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to 'Stay Put' Ruling
The Monday action by the Supreme Court follows a recommendation from the Obama administration that the high court not take up the case, which involved a private school placement.
School & District Management
New Autism Research Outlines Gender Differences in Social Interactions
Girls and boys with autism spectrum disorder may both face social rejection from peers, but exclusion by girls may be harder to spot, recent research suggests.
College & Workforce Readiness
'Building a Grad Nation' Report Outlines Challenges in Special Education
The report notes that the overall graduation rate is climbing nationally, but students with disabilities still lag their typically-developing peers.
Equity & Diversity
Disability Issues Take the Lead in Record-Setting Years for Civil Rights Complaints
The U.S Department of Education's office for civil rights released a status report of its work for the past two fiscal years, much of which was driven by complaints over alleged violations of disability law.
Special Education
Young Children May Lose Autism Label, but Learning Challenges Continue
A study of about 600 children who were diagnosed with autism as toddlers found about 7 percent no longer had symptoms 4 years later, but often had other disabilities.
Special Education
Education Department Issuing Final Rule on Special Education Finance
School districts that violate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and cut their spending cannot use that new, lowered baseline in subsequent years, the rule states.
School & District Management
Ed. Dept. Cautions Districts About 'Forcing' Parents Into Due Process
Public agencies, including school districts, should avoid filing due process complaints about issues that are currently under investigation by the state, says a recent "Dear Colleague" letter from the Education Department.
Special Education
Restraint and Seclusion, Gifted Education Among Amendments to ESEA Bill
States would have to develop plans to prevent unnecessary restraint and seclusion in schools, and the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Education program would be reauthorized under the pending ESEA rewrite.
Special Education
Postschool Success for Students With Disabilities Linked to Goal-Setting Skills
A review of recent studies shows some factors connected with postschool employment, education, and independent living, but researchers say more evidence would be welcome.
Teaching Profession
Top Special Education Teacher Dismissed After Months of Strained District Relations
The Multnomah district says Brett Bigham, the 2014 Oregon teacher of the year, was fired because he took too many days off, but Bigham says he was let go because of his sexual orientation.
Special Education
U.S. Supreme Court Will Not Hear Case on Race and Special Education
Black parents in the Pennsylvania district of Lower Merion had argued the district disproportionately enrolled black students in special education.
Special Education
The Long Struggle to Balance Special Education Compliance and Performance
As states submit detailed blueprints for improving special education performance, a look back at Education Week archives shows that balancing compliance and performance has been a long-standing issue.
School Choice & Charters
Mississippi to Add Third Voucher Program for Students in Special Education
Gov. Phil Bryant has signaled his intent to sign a bill that would provide $6,500 yearly that students with disabilities can use on educational expenses.