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! Hoping you have a great weekend ahead - here's the news you may have missed!
A major investigation found that special education money continues to flow to for-profit residential treatment centers in the troubled teen industry despite mounting scrutiny over safety concerns. Families are facing rising insurance bills for autism therapy, advocates warned that proposed Medicaid changes could push people with disabilities off the program, and Texas school administrators detailed budget shortfalls including special education to state lawmakers.
A wave of federal action also made news: the FCC announced a top-to-bottom review of the E-Rate program that helps schools afford internet access, senators demanded answers over the closed Office of English Language Acquisition, the Education Department faces a new lawsuit over cancelled professional development funding, and reporting examined the ripple effects of education no longer being classified as a professional degree. Coverage took a deeper look at what proposed school screen time limits could mean for students with disabilities, experts cautioned that the limits need a more nuanced approach, and Illinois lawmakers passed a budget banning cellphone use in classrooms.
Worksheets, webinars, trivia and more below - read on!
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Gif by Abbott Elementary (ABC)
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:
Have you ever been used as a general education aide instead of delivering specially designed instruction?
Yes, constantly 😤 (26%)
Occasionally, but it's not the norm 🤷♀️ (28%)
No, my role is respected ✅ (29%)
Do you think students in self-contained settings are academically challenged enough?
It depends entirely on the teacher 🎯 (46%)
Have students with disabilities at your school ever been excluded from a general school activity or tradition?
Rarely, our school is pretty inclusive ✅ (42%)
Have you ever been handed a Google Sheet or generic list instead of actual IEP documents?
Yes, and it's a regular occurrence 😤
It's happened but wasn't the norm 🤷♀️
No, our district provides full IEP access ✅
I've seen it happen to colleagues but not me 👀
In a co-teaching setting, do you feel your role as the special ed teacher is clearly defined?
No, I'm basically treated as an aide 😔
Sometimes, depending on the gen ed teacher 🔄
Yes, we have a strong co-teaching partnership 💪
I don't co-teach 🤷♀️
Was getting your special education certification or advanced degree worth the financial investment?
Yes, no regrets 💪
Professionally yes, financially no 😬
Still paying it off and not sure yet 😶
I'd make a different choice today 🚪
🤔 Did you know that NASET membership includes over $1,000 in value? For $75/year you gain immediate access to: nearly 80 state-approved PD courses, monthly expert webinars, weekly classroom tools, access to our 19-year-old peer-reviewed journal, and 15% off all board certifications? 🥳 Become a NASET Member Today!
🗣️ Do you work with multilingual students? Do you have students in the transition planning phase? Join NYU’s Dr. Audrey Trainor and PhD Candidate, Lindsay Romano, on June 15 at 7pm for Lost in Transition: Supporting Multilingual Students with Disabilities Through the Post-Secondary Transition Process to learn what identity-informed transition planning looks like in practice and how to connect multilingual students with disabilities to the right post-secondary resources.
👩💻 Register today (Free for NASET Members | $85 for non-members)
🌟 NASET Certifications earn graduate and state continuing education credit: As we add more states and districts to our PD approval list, 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 Graduate Credit options here!
👉 See how NASET fulfills your state PD requirements!
📋 Recently complete a NASET certification or course? Get your CEUs!
📚 June Special Educator e-Journal
Perry Zirkel’s June Legal Update
Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Individualized Education Program By Sienna Bascus, Camryn Ellison, Silvia Roman, Sarah Sepe, Raena Thelwell, and Alva Ward
Assistive Technology Challenges in IEPs and Classroom Practice
By Melissa Cella-Perez, Rebecca Martinez, Sulay Palenque, Melissa Placido, and Michelle Prenat
📋 Participate in Research
Seeking elementary special education teachers with experience implementing specially designed instruction (SDI) 👉Review details here →
⬇️ NASET Support Squad Downloads of the Week Strengthening Parent and Family Engagement in Special Education and Monitoring and Ensuring IEP Compliance in Daily Instruction Scroll down to instantly download ⬇️
🏫 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 73 this year 👉 Explore the 2026 Schools of Excellence and Exceptional Charter Schools!
🥳 Nominate an Outstanding Teacher for 2026 Recognition Today!
🏆 Trusted Service Providers
NASET celebrates the organizations and companies that have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to supporting the special education community.
👉 Explore the Inaugural Trusted Service Providers!
POLICY & FUNDING DEVELOPMENTS
FEDERAL ACTION & EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
SCREEN TIME & CLASSROOM PRACTICE
Looking for a new role? Join the NASET Talent Network!
Elevate Your Impact.
Drexel’s ABAI-Verified online programs give you a data-driven approach to understanding behavior and teaching new skills, especially for individuals with autism. You’ll gain hands-on experience and access to specialized concentrations that align with your goals. Prepare for advanced practice and new career opportunities.
Shout Out to Last Week’s Winners Who Correctly Answered, “Negative Reinforcement.” View the winners list here!
This Week's Question:
Which Supreme Court decision clarified that IDEA administrative remedies must be exhausted before filing ADA or 504 claims seeking IDEA-available relief?
Correctly answer 3 or more trivia questions each month to be eligible for a gift card! We had 22 winners in May!
What’s one topic you want more resources for this year? Reply to this email and let us know!
Advance Your Career With Applied Behavior Analysis
Discover Drexel’s online Applied Behavior Analysis programs – master’s and certificates. Tailored for busy professionals, including educators and social workers – these programs empower you to help others succeed, while forging new career trails of your own, using well-established, evidence-based ABA principles, practices, and tools.
“There is incredible value in being of service to others.”