The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) empowers special education teachers, advocates, and professionals with practical training, trusted resources, and meaningful connections - supporting those who make a difference in the lives of students with diverse learning needs.
Happy Friday! We wish you a safe and fun holiday weekend - here's the news you may have missed!
A coalition of states asked a federal court to strike key disability protections under Section 504. $144 million in federal special education funding moves forward and California's governor proposed a $2.4 billion special education funding increase that, if approved by the state legislature, would be the largest in state history.
NPR ran a major national story on how overworked, understaffed special ed teachers are turning to AI to manage crushing paperwork loads. The Surgeon General's office issued new guidance advising schools to limit student screen time and Philadelphia announced it will phase out its Intensive Learning Support program for students with disabilities.
Plus: leucovorin prescriptions for children with autism surged over 2,000% after public attention, a Nature study mapped autism subtypes through brain connectivity, and new district-level data revealed what's driving reading and math success in classrooms nationwide.
More below including our June Webinar and the Break Room - read on!
Join us on June 15th for: Lost in Transition
On Monday June 15th @ 7pm EST: we’re hosting Dr. Audrey A. Trainor, a Professor of Special Education and Content Director of Programs in Special Education at NYU Steinhardt and PhD Candidate Lindsay Romano, for a discussion on equity in special education with a specific emphasis on postsecondary transitions for adolescents with disabilities - including multilingual young people. 💙 Join us for Lost in Transition: Supporting Multilingual Students with Disabilities Through the Post-Secondary Transition Process
📅 Monday June 15th @ 7PM EST
Free for Members / $85 for Non-Member
🎓 Register here!
Gif on Giphy
Hello from the NASET Break Room - our quick pulse check on the state of special education based on trending posts and questions we saw online this week.
Last Week:
At what age should students be told they have an IEP?
As soon as they can understand it 🧒 (67%)
Do you think having a personal experience with disability makes you a better special education professional?
Yes, it's one of my greatest strengths 💪 (36%)
Sometimes, but it also comes with challenges 🔄 (36%)
In your experience, do students from higher-income families receive better special education services?
Yes, without question 😔 (35%)
Sometimes, depending on the district 🤔 (33%)
How do you handle end-of-year celebrations for students who can't participate in traditional ceremonies?
I design something individualized 🎉
I follow whatever the school does 🏫
Honestly, it's an afterthought 😬
My school has a clear protocol for this ✅
Has your school ever moved a student into general ed before you felt they were ready?
Yes, and it went badly 😔
Yes, but it worked out okay 😮💨
Not in my experience ✅
This happens constantly at my school 😤
Do you think your district adequately funds special education?
Not even close 😤
It's enough to get by, barely 😬
Pretty well, all things considered 👍
I genuinely have no idea where the money goes 🤷♀️
NASET Goes to Grad School: We’re thrilled to expand our graduate institution relationships and offer additional graduate level credit programs to support the career growth of all certification enrollees!
🎓 Explore More here!
🦀 NASET is an approved CPD provider in Maryland!
We’re excited to have Maryland join our roster of state approvals alongside Michigan, New York (CTLE), Pennsylvania (Act 48), Texas (TEA-CPE), Illinois, Washington State, and Nevada. Plus, we have confirmed teachers in many additional states can earn credit through district-level approvals. 👉 Check out your state in our state guide!
📋 Recently complete a training? Complete our CEU credit tracker!
🏫 School Awards
Since 2008, NASET has annually recognized qualified licensed private special education schools and charter schools that have demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment, and achievement in the field of special education. We recognized 72 this year 👉 Explore the 2026 Schools of Excellence and Exceptional Charter Schools!
🥳 Nominate an Outstanding Teacher for 2026 Recognition Today!
🏆 Trusted Service Providers
For the first time ever NASET is recognizing the organizations and companies that have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to supporting the special education community. Each provider listed has been reviewed for relevance, credibility, and alignment with NASET's mission. 👉 Explore the Inaugural Trusted Service Providers!
Participate in Research
Seeking school-based staff who work with students who receive special education services under the autism category of IDEA 👉Review details and compensation here →
From the NASET vault
Early Intervention Series: Improving Transitions from Early Intervention (EI) to School →
👉 Read the May Special Education e-Journal→
NASET Support Squad Downloads of the Week Understanding the Transition from a 504 Plan to an IEP and Transition Planning and Transfer of Rights Scroll down to instantly download ⬇️
POLICY & FUNDING DEVELOPMENTS
CLASSROOM PRACTICE & STUDENT WELLBEING
AUTISM RESEARCH & PRACTICE
Looking for a new role? Join the NASET Talent Network!
Special ed certifications that actually cover what you do every day.
From IEP writing to classroom management to advocacy - NASET offers certifications designed specifically for special ed. Explore our: Board Certification for Advocacy in Special Education (BCASE), Board Certification in Individualized Education Program (BCIEP), Board Certification for Inclusion in Special Education (BCISE), Board Certification in Special Education (BCSE), Board Certification in Classroom Management (BCCM). Self-paced. 86-118 study hour credits.
Recognized nationwide.
Shout Out to Last Week’s Winners Who Correctly Answered, “7” View the winners list here!
This Week's Question:
Which Supreme Court ruling established that schools must provide nursing services during school hours as a related service even if a nurse is required?
Correctly answer 3 or more trivia questions each month to be eligible for a gift card! We had 23 winners in April!
As you look to summer, what resources would you love to have ready for fall? Reply to this email and let us know!
NASET membership is worth over $1,000! Here's what's inside:
NASET members get free access to monthly expert webinars (valued at $75 each), nearly 80 short professional development courses, weekly worksheets and classroom resources, a private community of special educators, our peer-reviewed academic journal, and 15% off all NASET certifications and courses - every year you're a member.
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.”