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.

Become a New York State Early Intervention Provider

Looking for a career where every day, you can make a difference in children’s lives? New York State’s leading Early Intervention program has job openings that may be just right for you. Learn more about becoming an approved provider, including the State licenses and certificates needed, and consider applying today.

Learn More Today →

Happy Friday! 

• Don't miss NASET's first-ever live webinar on law and special education! Monday, August 25 @ 7pm EST. Secure one of the first 100 seats for just $45 before the price goes up. (Or become a member today and get ALL webinars for free!)
  REGISTER NOW →
  
  

• RTI Round Table: Understanding Response to Intervention—A Review of Where We Stand in 2025
  This issue of NASET’s RTI Roundtable focuses on the latest (2025) updates in understanding Response to Intervention (RtI). To review, RtI is an educational approach designed to identify and support students who are struggling academically or behaviorally through a tiered system of interventions. It emphasizes early identification and provides increasingly intensive levels of support based on the student’s needs. The RtI process begins with high-quality, research-based instruction delivered to all students in the general education classroom (Tier 1). If a student does not respond adequately to this instruction, they receive targeted interventions in smaller groups (Tier 2). For students who continue to struggle, more individualized and intensive interventions are provided (Tier 3), which may involve specialists or special education services. The goal of RtI is to address learning or behavioral difficulties before they become more severe, reducing the need for formal special education identification.
  READ MORE! →
  
  

• Master the special ed skills that set you apart. Our board certifications give you the skills to write solid IEPs, advocate effectively, and handle tough classroom situations. Save 25% with code NASET25TY
  ENHANCE YOUR SPECIAL ED SKILLS WITH NASET →

POLICY & FUNDING UPDATES The federal government delayed efforts to roll back disability rights protections while releasing $1.4 billion previously withheld from after-school programs. However, teacher professional development jobs remain on the chopping block as funding freezes continue, and the field grapples with severe special educator shortages across all education levels. States are suing over new restrictions on undocumented youth in Head Start programs. As the nation marks the 35th anniversary of the ADA, advocates warn of potential backslides. Medicaid recipients fear loss of coverage despite changes being years away, while experts examine how Medicaid cuts could impact school services. Meanwhile, programs that once paid parents to care for their children with disabilities are ending.

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGHS Researchers at Drexel University are studying how autistic teens' brains respond in social settings to help them pass as non-autistic. Education experts continue highlighting the critical role of mental health supports in special education success.

ACCESSIBILITY PROGRESS Concert venues are increasingly going sensory-friendly to accommodate attendees with disabilities.

Do you prefer to view this week’s news as a list of links? →

there are over 530K special education teachers in the United States

• Special Education Instructor – Job Corps Program @ Grant Associates (Brooklyn, NY) – $60K – $70K / year

• Special Education Teacher @ La Cheim (El Sobrante, CA)

• Special Education Teacher @ Opportunities for Learning Ridgecrest (Ridgecrest, CA) – $6.2K – $8.8K / Month

• Senior Therapeutic Inclusion Specialist @ Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (Greenbelt, MD) – $60K – $107K / year

The Tourette Association of America has compiled a comprehensive list of resources to assist educators and school personnel in in developing effective support plans to allow children with TS and other Tic Disorders to thrive, both socially and academically.

Download Free Tourette Syndrome Resources For Your Students Today →

Shout Out to Last Week’s Winners Who Correctly Guessed, “Annually”: Cynthia Lopez, Cynthia Turcotte, Joanna Blau, Colleen Panici, Helene Reisman, Dr. Nicole Wells, Marisol Hernandez-Reyes, Bonnie Baldwin, Patrick Gilbert, Chidi Amasiani, Emily Kavanagh, Amy Zvolanek, Rowena Spetka, Karrissa Ebert, Maggie Kullenberg, Joycelyn Whitley Cooper, Corinn Mildenberg, Gisele Dailey, Kelly Olivier, Angie Strickler, Jaclyn Niederhaus, Lauro III Esquilona, Barry Amper, Debbie Alford, Lois Beckford, Marie Krubski, Christina Armstrong, Emily Phillips, Kelly Jacobsen, Taylor Hoyt, Erika Musgrove, Kelly Duenckel, Joanna Elder Mathewson, Melinda Kelly, Mitchell Stockett, Ellen Kay, Susan Stoneback, Patsy Jo Ray, Karen Nelson, Cheryl Blocher, Krista Godinez, Katie Zehowski, Diane Roy, Ebony BlairJones, Kimberly Habra, Laurie Henderson, Jermeika Mattis-Marsh, Karen Frantz-Fry, Maya Parry, Michelle McCurdy-Griffin, Tracey Christilles, RD Williams

This Week's Question:

Which Supreme Court case established Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?

• How to start the school year with a focus on growth mindset

• Keep, Eliminate, Adapt

• How Classroom Jobs for Teens Instill Responsibility

From our old logo to the new one!

Use the code NASET25TY for 15% off NASET merchandise through the year

Being a special education professional is deeply rewarding—but it can also be isolating, overwhelming, and resource-starved. Join thousands of NASET Members in our active new community where you will be able to instantly:

1. Access Thousands of Resources
2. Stay Informed, Stay Prepared
3. Enhance Your Credibility