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 Juneteenth! We hope you have a wonderful weekend - here's the news you may have missed this week!
This week brought the biggest special education policy news of the year. The U.S. Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it will move oversight of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to the Department of Health and Human Services, and shift civil rights enforcement under Section 504 and Title IX to the Department of Justice. The move affects roughly 8 million students with disabilities and the $15 billion IDEA program. NASET will be hosting a webinar session about the agency announcement later this summer - stay tuned for details.
Beyond the HHS announcement, federal action dominated education news: a House committee advanced a fiscal year 2027 plan to cut the Education Department by 10%, three states sued over cancelled special education teacher training grants, federal grant cuts for English learners drew a lawsuit, and the DOJ deemed the EEOC's disparate impact discrimination guidelines unconstitutional. Thousands of school employees also received layoff warnings nationwide.
On the research front, some question whether it is time for another National Reading Panel and examined the tension between ed-tech's academic benefits and its social-emotional downsides. And researchers are uncovering ADHD’s links to other health conditions.
Worksheets, webinars, trivia and more below - read on!
Transform how you understand and change behavior.
Built for busy educators and professionals, Drexel’s Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis deliver evidence-based skills you can use immediately. Choose a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Advanced ABA, or Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness. Gain real-world experience through community partnerships.
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:
Has your school's phone or screen policy ever conflicted with a student's IEP accommodations?
No, our admin handles this thoughtfully ✅ (54%)
Does your district give you clear written guidance on ESY eligibility and service coordination?
Sometimes, but it's inconsistent 😬 (42%)
Have you ever had a family tell you they moved specifically for better special education services?
Yes, multiple families have told me this 📦 (48%)
How concerned are you about IDEA enforcement now that oversight has moved out of the Department of Education?
Extremely concerned - this changes everything 😰
Concerned but cautiously waiting to see what happens 😬
Not sure yet - I need more information 🤔
Not concerned - enforcement will continue as normal 🤷♀️
Has your caseload grown significantly in the last 2 years?
Yes, and I have the same support as before 😤
Yes, and we've actually gotten more resources 👍
About the same 🤷♀️
My caseload has actually decreased 📉
How would you describe the collaboration between special ed teachers and related service providers at your school?
Strong - we function as a real team 💪
Hit or miss depending on the person 🔄
Mostly siloed with occasional overlap 😬
It's a source of real tension 😤
Learn to advocate for special education students, right from your desk 🏡
Earning your advocacy certification with NASET means you gain the rigorous, specialized knowledge to support students and their families at their next IEP meeting.
📋 Join over 1,400 NASET certified advocates today
👩💻 July webinars to keep you informed:
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
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 which lies at the intersection of neuroscience, trauma, and behavior disorders and shares insights on how to best support your students.
🧠 Register today (Free for NASET Members)
🎓 Earn graduate credit with NASET for under $150! Through our partnership with Augustana University, we offer 2 graduate credit eligible courses for under $150.
✅ Complete coursework in our related services or IEP implementation course!
From the NASET Vault
➡️ Severe Disabilities Series: Social Skills for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities: Can Community Based Instruction Help?
📋 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 Designing Meaningful IEP Goals for Student Growth and Supporting Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Scroll down to instantly download ⬇️
THE LEAD: SPECIAL EDUCATION MOVES TO HHS
POLICY & FUNDING DEVELOPMENTS
CLASSROOM PRACTICE & RESEARCH
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, “One Percent (1%).” View the winners list here!
This Week's Question:
At what T-score threshold on the BASC-3 is a clinical scale score considered "Clinically Significant"?
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 resource you’ll be looking for this summer? 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.
“What good are wings without the courage to fly?”