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 hope you take a well deserved break - here's the news you may have missed!
A new report found that only half of teacher preparation programs now teach the science of reading, while new national data show reading and math scores rising for younger kids while stalling for teens. Math teachers are also seeing a chance to boost students' reading skills inside their own classrooms and Chalkbeat dug into the mystery behind girls' test scores and COVID learning loss.
On the research front, a new national poll found most K-12 teachers believe AI's impact on education will eclipse the internet or computers. A JAMA Psychiatry study found the genetic risk profile of people diagnosed with autism and ADHD has shifted as diagnosis rates have increased, Mass General Brigham researchers reported that people with traumatic brain injury have a higher risk of brain cancer than the general population, and the Washington Post examined the latest debate in the autism community over whether "spelling to communicate" is effective therapy or unproven facilitated communication.
Finally, a House committee advanced a fiscal year 2027 plan to cut the Education Department by 10% as districts brace for the unexpected. The federal government also faces a new lawsuit over the delay of disability accessibility rules.
Worksheets, webinars, trivia and more below - read on!
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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 handed a Google Sheet or generic list instead of actual IEP documents?
No, our district provides full IEP access ✅ (81%)
In a co-teaching setting, do you feel your role as the special ed teacher is clearly defined?
Sometimes, depending on the gen ed teacher 🔄 (32%)
I don't co-teach 🤷♀️ (33%)
Was getting your special education certification or advanced degree worth the financial investment?
Yes, no regrets 💪 (35%)
Professionally yes, financially no 😬 (39%)
Has your school's phone or screen policy ever conflicted with a student's IEP accommodations?
Yes, and I had to fight to protect the student's access 😤
Yes, but it got resolved quickly 😮💨
Not yet, but I can see it coming 👀
No, our admin handles this thoughtfully ✅
Does your district give you clear written guidance on ESY eligibility and service coordination?
Never - I find out through word of mouth 🤷♀️
Sometimes, but it's inconsistent 😬
Yes, we have clear policies ✅
ESY isn't something I deal with 📋
Have you ever had a family tell you they moved specifically for better special education services?
Yes, multiple families have told me this 📦
Once, it surprised me 👀
Never directly, but I've suspected it 🤔
No, never 🤷♀️
🤔 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!
👩💻 Three upcoming webinars to keep you informed through Summer!
THIS MONDAY June 15th at 7pm EST: Lost in Transition: Supporting Multilingual Students with Disabilities Through the Post-Secondary Transition Process Join Dr. Audrey A. Trainor (NYU) and Dr. Lindsay Romano (UC Boulder) as they share 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)Tuesday July 21st at 7pm EST: The Brain Behind the Behavior: What Neuroscience Tells Us About Trauma, Behavior Disorders, and What Special Educators Can Do About It Join PhD Candidate, Tara Tedrow, MA, Assistant Professor of Instruction (University of Northern Iowa) as she breaks down her research at the intersection of neuroscience, trauma, and behavior disorders
🧠 Register today (Free for NASET Members | $85 for non-members)FREE WEBINAR: Tuesday July 7th @ 4PM EST: From Research to Reality: What the Latest Special Education Evidence Actually Says - and How to Use It in Your Classroom Join Dr. Allie Boquet (Louisiana State University) and Dr. Chelsea T. Morris (University of New Mexico), JAASEP Co-Editors-In-Chief as they walk you through the latest in special education research that is shaping the field right now, what it actually means for your classroom, and how to close the gap between what studies recommend and what happens on Monday morning.
📖 FREE REGISTRATION
🌟 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!
From the NASET Vault
📋 Support Special Education Research as a Participant
Seeking elementary special education teachers with experience implementing specially designed instruction (SDI) 👉Review details here →
Seeking school-based staff who work with students who receive special education services under the autism category of IDEA 👉Review details and compensation here →
⬇️ NASET Support Squad Downloads of the Week Supporting Students Who Struggle with Task Initiation and Supporting Language and Communication Needs in 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
RESEARCH & 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, “Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools.” View the winners list here!
This Week's Question:
What is the maximum percentage of students a state may assess using alternate achievement standards under IDEA?
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!
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