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! Enjoy your weekend, next stop July! Here's the news you may have missed this week
The fallout from last week's announcement that the U.S. Department of Education will move oversight of special education to Health and Human Services continued to dominate special education news this week. A Senate panel signaled bipartisan opposition and is eyeing a July vote to shield special education from HHS. Disability groups voiced alarm about HHS's new role, and analyses warned that splitting up special education and civil rights could dilute services for students. Join NASET on August 6th for a special education briefing on this announcement and other updates as the school year begins.
Beyond the HHS move, the Department of Justice issued a controversial memo arguing that the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 do not require states to provide community-based services, drawing immediate condemnation from disability advocacy organizations. More than half of states are missing federal targets for improving special education, and new reporting also examined whether sustained bilingual education is best for English learner achievement.
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.
Gif by muppetwiki 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:
How concerned are you about IDEA enforcement now that oversight has moved out of the Department of Education?
Concerned but cautiously waiting to see what happens 😬 (50%)
Has your caseload grown significantly in the last 2 years?
Yes, and I have the same support as before 😤 (59%)
How would you describe the collaboration between special ed teachers and related service providers at your school?
Hit or miss depending on the person 🔄 (46%)
Do you think your state takes special education compliance seriously?
No - violations happen with no real consequences 😤
It depends on the district, not the state 🔄
My state tries but is clearly underfunded 😬
Yes, I see real accountability in practice ✅
Has your district ever promised a financial incentive for special education teachers that didn't materialize?
Yes, I'm still waiting 😤
Yes, it eventually came but way later than promised 😬
No, my district has followed through ✅
No incentives have ever been offered here 🤷♀️
Did your certification program adequately prepare you for a self-contained special education classroom?
Not even close 😳
Somewhat, but real life was a shock 😬
Mostly yes, with some gaps 👍
I learned everything on the job 📚
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
🎓 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!
👩💻 Webinars in July & August to keep you informed:
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)
FREE WEBINARS:
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
📝 Read the latest issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals | Members read for freeThursday August 6th @ 4PM EST: Special Education Landscape Briefing: Announced Shift to HHS Join the co-authors of Special Education and the Law, Dr. Allan G. Osborne and Dr. Charles J. Russo, as they discuss the latest on special education federal agency oversight, administration, and enforcement of these protections, and what questions this announced shift raises for the people doing the daily work of serving students.
📖 FREE REGISTRATION
From the NASET Vault
➡️ RTI Roundtable Series: The Perspective of K-12 Stakeholders Involved in Early Implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI)
📋 Support Special Education Research as a Participant
Seeking K-12 special educators with experience working with twice exceptional (2e) students 👉Review details and compensation here →
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 Instruction in Self-Contained Classrooms and Transitioning Students from Elementary to Middle School Services Scroll down to instantly download ⬇️
THE LEAD: SPECIAL EDUCATION MOVES TO HHS, FALLOUT CONTINUES
POLICY & FUNDING DEVELOPMENTS
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, “Seventy percent or above (70%+).” View the winners list here!
This Week's Question:
Which type of cerebral palsy, affecting approximately 70-80% of cases, involves increased muscle tone and stiffness?
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.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”