Special Education
IEPs. Learning disabilities. Inclusion. IDEA. Response to intervention. Gifted education. Explore all EdWeek coverage of special education
A Guide to Special Education Terms
The number of students in special education has increased steadily in the last four decades. Here are some of the common terms used.
Special Report
Understanding Learning Differences
This special report explores neurodiversity and some key issues shaping the experiences of students with learning and thinking differences.
Special Report
Special Education: Adapting to Challenging Realities
Exploring how special education services are adapting to unprecedented challenges and opportunities in education, from teacher shortages to technological advancements.
Special Report
Special Education and the Pandemic: Making Up for Lost Time and Lost Opportunities
Schools focus on pandemic recovery for the youngest special education students and those on the cusp of leaving K-12.
Special Education Disability or 'Superpower'? The Push to Change Mindsets About Students With Learning DifferencesAdvocates are calling for a paradigm shift in how adults perceive, and educate, students with learning differences.
Special Education What We Know About Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS), in ChartsMore districts and schools are using a tiered system of supports for students, with a focus on social-emotional learning, a survey found.Special Education Webinar Straight Talk: Effective Practices to Support Students with DyslexiaSponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.Learn about the history, the research, and strategies for selecting evidence-based instructional methods that support reading success for all students.
Special Education Explainer MTSS: What Is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports?MTSS, or multi-tiered system of supports, is a widely used framework meant to offer students personalized education that meets their needs.
Special Education 3 Reasons Why More Students Are in Special EducationOver the past 40 years, the number of students in special education has doubled due to better identification and less stigma, experts said.
Special Education Educators Share Advice on Supporting Students With Learning DifferencesStudents with learning differences benefit from flexibility, inclusivity, and clear communication, educators said.
Special Education Opinion 'I Dread Being at This Table.' How to Improve the IEP ProcessIEP meetings take an emotional toll on families. But they can be turned into a forum where hope for the possibilities of schooling prevail.
Special Education Letter to the Editor Schools Must Do Better to Meet IDEA RequirementsMore states must follow through on this law.
Special Education Test Your Knowledge: How Does Universal Screening for Dyslexia in Schools Work?Take our quiz to gauge your knowledge of the language processing disorder—and find links to further reading.
Special Education Letter to the Editor Reevaluating My Language Around DisabilityA recent opinion essay encouraged this teacher to unpack her approach to labeling students with specific disability classifications.
Special Education Q&A Creating Inclusive Classrooms for Blind Students Can Benefit Everyone. Here's How6 questions with a teacher who has dedicated her career to teaching and supporting blind children.
Special Education One State's Approach for Struggling Math Learners: IEP-Style PlansFlorida wants to develop a form of individualized education programs to target help to students who lag far behind in math.
Special Education The Number of Students in Special Education Has Doubled in the Past 45 YearsThe number of students in special education in the U.S. has doubled, from 3.6 million in 1976-77 to almost 7.3 million in 2021-22.
Special Education Do More to Ensure Schools Meet Obligations to Students With Disabilities, Feds Tell StatesStates must have "robust" systems to ensure schools obey federal special education law, new guidance says.
Special Education Explainer What Is an IEP? Individualized Education Programs, ExplainedWhat IEPs are, what their purpose is, and which students are eligible.
