Special Education Blog

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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: students with disabilities, gifted education, and homeless.

Special Education Civil Rights Commission Takes on Issue of Minorities in Special Education
The federal panel discussed the complex topic of minority students and whether they are placed in special education, disciplined more severely, or sent to restrictive settings more often than their peers.
Christina A. Samuels, December 8, 2017
3 min read
Special Education Nominee for Special Education Chief Sticks to Script at Confirmation Hearing
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.
Christina A. Samuels, December 5, 2017
3 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement HHS Audit Says New Jersey Must Pay Back Hundreds of Millions in Medicaid Funds
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.
Christina A. Samuels, November 29, 2017
1 min read
Special Education Senate Sets Hearing Date for Nominee to Federal Special Education Post
Johnny Collett, the Trump administration's pick for assistant secretary for the office of special education and rehabilitative services, has been getting a warm reception so far from disability advocates.
Christina A. Samuels, November 28, 2017
3 min read
Special Education Tech Company Wins Ed. Dept Award to Create Accessible Books
Benetech, a Palo Alto, Calif. based software company, is embarking on is third 5-year award with the U.S. Department of Education to create books for students with print disabilities.
Christina A. Samuels, November 14, 2017
2 min read
Special Education Special Education Enrollment Increases in Texas in Wake of Newspaper Investigation
About 14,000 more students in the state are enrolled in special education, after the state lifted what it called a "benchmark" enrollment figure of 8.5 percent.
Christina A. Samuels, November 10, 2017
1 min read
States Arizona Misallocated Millions in Federal Special Education Funds
A federal audit found that Arizona wrongly distributed some federal special education funds, and the state wants districts that received more money than they should have to be held harmless.
Christina A. Samuels, November 7, 2017
1 min read
In 2015, paraprofessional Ivana Jakovljevic helps 8th grader Cristina Amaya, who is visually impaired, navigate the halls at STRIVE Prep-Federal, a Denver charter school.
In 2015, paraprofessional Ivana Jakovljevic helps 8th grader Cristina Amaya, who is visually impaired, navigate the halls at STRIVE Prep-Federal, a Denver charter school.
Nathan W. Armes for Education Week
Special Education Does Inclusion Slow Down General Education Classrooms?
A researcher finds that teachers in classrooms with high numbers of students with disabilities spend less time on teaching.
Christina A. Samuels, November 3, 2017
4 min read
Special Education Autism Insurance Mandates Expand Access to Treatment, At Substantial Cost
A study finds that children in states where private insurers must pay for autism treatment access services at a greater rate, and at a larger cost, than children in states not subject to such mandates.
Christina A. Samuels, November 1, 2017
3 min read
Special Education Ed. Dept. Scrutinizing Rule on Minority Representation in Special Education
The Education Department plans to seek public comment on putting off a rule that would require more school districts to use federal dollars to address minority bias in special education, Politico reports.
Christina A. Samuels, October 25, 2017
2 min read
Special Education Ed. Dept. Explains Special Education Guidance Cutbacks After Outcry
The uproar prompted by the Education Department's clearing out of old regulations demonstrates the mistrust disability advocates have for the Education Department.
Christina A. Samuels, October 24, 2017
2 min read
Special Education Ed. Dept. Sweeps Away Old Special Education Guidance and Regulations
Following the Trump administration's mandate to clear out regulatory chaff, the office of special education and rehabilitative services plans to get rid of decades-old guidance documents.
Christina A. Samuels, October 20, 2017
2 min read
Law & Courts With Federal Suit Stalled, Ga. Advocates File Special Education Complaint
The target is the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support, a network of special education programs accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Christina A. Samuels, October 11, 2017
2 min read
Special Education Providing Special Education in a Time of Disaster
The U.S. Department of Education says that it wants to provide flexibility and support for schools and districts struggling to recover. That could include financial relief for states that request it.
Christina A. Samuels, October 10, 2017
2 min read