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 your weekend is relaxing! Here's the news you may have missed this week
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee voted this week in a bipartisan rebuke to advance a bill that would block the transfer of special education oversight to Health and Human Services and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department. The Education Department nonetheless promoted the shakeup at its OSEP conference, and analyses questioned who will protect students' right to learn as the Department is dismantled. Pushback on the plan intensified across advocacy groups and lawmakers alike.
On the policy and disability rights front, people with disabilities are voicing fears of service cuts as the DOJ continues to question long-standing legal protections. Autism therapy usage has quintupled, prompting new federal action, and administrative rules for Head Start preschool are undergoing a major overhaul. New reporting also examined whether public preschool for 2-year-olds could become the next pre-K, expanding early childhood access.
On the literacy and classroom front, a bipartisan Senate panel advanced science of reading and dyslexia bills, a federal science of reading bill also advanced, and a new survey found that 75% of educators expect student behavior to be a challenge this year.
Worksheets, webinars, trivia and more below - read on!
Embracing the World of Sensory Therapies
We’re not all left-handed, but we do take a different approach to business. We’re all about creative solutions, information and advice – not mass distribution of the latest gadget. Since our founding in 1978, Southpaw has been dedicated to developing and manufacturing sensory integration dysfunction and neurodevelopmental products to help therapeutic professionals, people with special needs, their families and other professionals solve problems and overcome challenges. We are committed to offer education, insight and resources for learning about neurodevelopmental disorders and will continue to partner with therapists to provide the absolute best products based on clinical need.
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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 pressured by administration to discipline a student with an IEP in a way that felt legally questionable?
No, my admin understands the legal requirements ✅ (52%)
Do you feel your training prepared you to identify autism in students who don't fit the 'typical' profile?
Somewhat, but I've had to learn on the job 🤔 (58%)
What's your biggest frustration with IEP data collection?
Inconsistency across my team drives me crazy 🔄 (42%)
Have you ever had a student go a full school year without a needed assistive technology device?
Yes, more than once 😤
Yes, once - and it was a fight to fix it 😔
Almost - but we got it resolved 😮💨
No, our district handles AT procurement well ✅
How would you describe the tone of most IEP meetings at your school?
Collaborative and productive 🤝
Polite but tense underneath 😬
Frequently adversarial 😤
It varies wildly by family 🔄
Do you have meaningful input into your co-teaching assignments?
No - I find out who I'm with at the last minute 😤
Sometimes, but it's rarely acted on 🤷♀️
Yes, my preferences are considered 👍
Co-teaching isn't part of my role 📋
🎁 Gift cards, two ways
NASET is here to support you this school year, and our Built for Day One event is now live. Take our educator survey and receive a gift card as our thank you. Then register for our free August 26 webinar with ARK Therapeutic + The Well Balanced OT and you're automatically entered into our weekly $100 gift card drawings. Plus, lock in membership at $75/year forever before September 14. We look forward to ensuring you and your students have a great start to the year!
👩💻 Webinars in August to keep you informed:
🧮 THURSDAY August 20th at 3pm EST: AI Tools for Math in Special Education:
Practical, Accessible Ways to Use AI to Support Math Instruction for Students with Disabilities We’re thrilled to host Dr. Krystle Merry, Lecturer in Special Education at the University of Maine, for a live workshop on math tools for special educators! This session will definitely boost your math confidence and knowledge as the school year begins!
👩💻 Register Today | Free for NASET Members
🙋TUESDAY August 25th at 7pm EST: Kids Do Well If They Can: Rethinking Concerning Behavior in Special Education with Dr. Ross Greene's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Model Join New York Times Bestselling author of The Explosive Child, Dr. Ross Greene, for part 1 of a 2 part webinar series on tools which actually reduce discipline referrals, detentions, suspensions, restraint, and seclusion in both general education and special education classrooms. This is a must-attend session!
👩💻 Register Today | Free for NASET Members
📚 August Special Educator e-Journal
Perry Zirkel’s August Legal Update
The Impact of High-Leverage Practices on Academic and Inclusive Outcomes for Students with Disabilities by Cosett Maytin, Amyerim Suarez, Julianne Verdayes, Lina Abjouadi
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Carrie Whitsell and Zuniga
🎓 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!
⬇️ NASET Support Squad Downloads of the Week Effective Co-Teaching Models in Inclusive Classrooms and Preparing Students for State Assessments Scroll down to instantly download ⬇️
THE LEAD: BIPARTISAN SENATE PUSHBACK & SPECIAL ED SHAKEUP
POLICY & DISABILITY RIGHTS
LITERACY & CLASSROOM PRACTICE
Contract Subject Matter Reviewer - Doctorate Required (Remote) @ Special Education Company - $60 - $75 / Hour
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. This program meets the behavior-analytic coursework requirements for those pursuing the BCBA pathway 2 eligibility route.
Shout Out to Last Week’s Winners Who Correctly Answered, “The party filing the complaint / seeking relief.” View the winners list here!
This Week's Question:
Which federal office within the U.S. Department of Education oversees the implementation of IDEA and monitors state compliance?
Correctly answer 3 or more trivia questions each month to be eligible for a gift card! We had 25 winners in July!
What’s one resource you need this school 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.
“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.”