Special Education


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    Week In Review: Unions sue over ‘professional’ degrees

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the educational impact of extreme weather to chronic absenteeism data.

    By Aug. 17, 2026
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From the latest data on written state special education complaints to a lawsuit against the Education Department, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By Aug. 14, 2026
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    Imgorthand via Getty Images
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    Dyscalculia affects almost as many students as dyslexia. What can districts do?

    Most districts don't have the systems in place to screen for the learning disability related to numbers and math, CRPE said in a report.

    By Aug. 13, 2026
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    Special education state complaints jump nearly 50%

    The trend may be due to reduced capacity at the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, among other challenges, CEC and NASDSE say.

    By Aug. 11, 2026
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    Week in Review: McMahon touts special education interagency agreement

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, including HHS’ proposal to overhaul Head Start and the online safety bills heading to the Senate floor.

    By Aug. 10, 2026
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Education Department defends controversial special education shakeup

    The changes are the “start of a brighter future” for individuals with disabilities, Education Secretary Linda McMahon told OSEP conference attendees.

    By Aug. 4, 2026
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    Week In Review: Where enrollment is and isn’t in decline

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the impact of school closures on teacher turnover to districts’ social media lawsuits.

    By Aug. 3, 2026
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    Eric Lee via Getty Images
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    Interagency agreements: Committee OKs bill to block 4 Education Department transfers

    The bill moves to the full Senate just weeks after the House introduced 10 bills that would codify some of the moves.

    By July 30, 2026
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Week In Review: Former federal officials caution against Education Department transfers

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from absenteeism recovery data to a slew of new legislative proposals.

    By July 27, 2026
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    2 Senate bills would undo some Education Department transfers

    A bipartisan bill would prohibit interagency agreements for various K-12 and postsecondary activities. The other addresses special education specifically.

    By July 23, 2026
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Special educators oppose Education Department breakup

    The new interagency agreement could bring disjointed policies and reduced accountability, experts told the Special Education Legislative Summit.

    By July 21, 2026
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    Permission granted by House Education and Workforce Committee
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    Week In Review: Education Department targets predators in schools

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a principal’s conference in Florida to pushback on an Education Department interagency agreement.

    By July 20, 2026
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    Week In Review: Chronic absenteeism continues to vex school systems

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from students with disabilities in general classrooms to state AI laws.

    By July 13, 2026
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    STUDY HALL

    Here’s what you need to know about key topics shaping K-12

    We’ve gathered past installments of our explainer series in one place to help you stay on top of the must-know information on key topics.

    By July 8, 2026
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    StockPlanets via Getty Images
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    More students with disabilities learning in general education classrooms

    A GAO report finds 42 states and the District of Columbia increased the share of students with disabilities in general education classes.

    By July 6, 2026
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    Inside the Education Department’s interagency agreements

    The most recent moves outsource various special education and civil rights activities to the departments of Health and Human Services and Justice.

    By July 6, 2026
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    Week In Review: A landmark Supreme Court ruling and a major testing company acquisition

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from “misconceptions” at the Education Department to Texas’ curriculum change.

    By July 6, 2026
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    Education groups sue for access to nearly $2B in research funds

    A lawsuit claims the Education Department and the Office of Management and Budget are withholding the funds unlawfully.

    By July 1, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Education Department addresses ‘misconceptions’ about special education outsourcing

    While a top official says students will retain all their rights under federal law, some advocates and lawmakers call the transfer harmful and disruptive.

    By June 29, 2026
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    Week In Review: Screen time concerns drive policy moves

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from calls for Linda McMahon’s impeachment to data on states not meeting special education requirements.

    By June 29, 2026
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From a large district’s consolidation plan to a report on states meeting special education requirements, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By June 26, 2026
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    Courtney Hale via Getty Images
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    More than half of states miss targets for improving special education

    States labeled as needing intervention or assistance for multiple years could face enforcement actions such as being termed a high-risk grantee.

    By June 23, 2026
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    Week In Review: New Ed Dept interagency agreements and a district’s library overhaul

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a rejected Supreme Court case to teacher workforce updates.

    By June 22, 2026
  • Takeaways from the Ed Dept-HHS special ed agreement

    Critics worry it will lead to a medical approach, while supporters say the collaboration will improve outcomes.

    By June 18, 2026
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on June 16, 2026
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    Education Department transfers key special ed, civil rights functions

    The departments of Health and Human Services and Justice will receive core special education and civil rights responsibilities under the agreements.

    By , Updated June 16, 2026