The Equity Coalition supports the right of students with disabilities to exercise choice as they explore their educational options; it is also essential that all school options uphold civil rights and ensure equitable access. In line with this commitment, the Equity Coalition proposes the following principles as a standard by which school options…

This letter highlights existing Federal K-12 resources that can support resettled Afghan students enrolling in public schools. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes that there is an immediate and urgent need to provide high-quality, culturally responsive education to Afghan newcomers -- inclusive of primary, secondary, and English language…

Schools across the country are making plans for how to approach education in various combinations of distance and in-person learning for the foreseeable future given the realities of COVID-19. It is vitally important that equity for all students, including those with disabilities, is prioritized and planned for. The Individuals with Disabilities…

Determining whether an English learner with significant cognitive disabilities should participate in an alternate English language proficiency (alt-ELP) assessment is a challenge for Individualized Education Program teams. Although some states provide guidelines for making the decision, many do not. The purpose of this resource is to provide…

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) requires that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with disabilities, age 16 years and older, include age appropriate transition assessment results aligned with measurable postsecondary goals. This section of the IEP is typically known as an Individual Transition Plan…

The movement to extend universal design from physical to instructional environments has escalated in the past two decades. Frameworks to guide the field of postsecondary education in its efforts to intentionally build accessibility features into college teaching and course materials include Universal Design in Education, Universal Design for…

Federal legislation, namely the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 ([IDEA], 2005), ensures that students with disabilities have the right to participate in general education curriculum taught in general education classrooms (§ 300.314). A team of school professionals and parents identifies supports necessary for success and…

Learning disabilities are among the most common disabilities experienced in childhood and adulthood. Although identifying learning disabilities in a school setting is a complex process, it is particularly challenging in low- and middle-income countries that lack the appropriate resources, tools, and supports. This guide provides an introduction to…

In this article, James J. Gallagher proposes that understanding the political issues and the debate surrounding the education of gifted students is based on the recognition that education policy (including rules, regulations, financial allocations, etc.) reflects social policy. Hence, society prioritizes needs so that the most important of these…

Virtually every school district in the country is dealing with the need to reduce their budget. The process used to make those decisions varies from state to state but almost always includes a combination of short and long-term approaches. In many school districts the emphasis is on reducing individual budget line items and not filling vacant…

Practitioners with an expertise in assistive technology and technology assessments are in demand to be full participants in the selection, planning, and implementation of instruction for students with mild disabilities. Frequently, practitioners with knowledge of assistive technology are assigned to evaluate students with sensory, physical,…

This paper presents the second part of "Massachusetts Primer on Special Education and Charter Schools." This section is an introduction for new staff members of state agencies and others who need an overview of topics related to Massachusetts students with disabilities enrolled in Massachusetts charter schools. The information focuses on…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 permits the use of a process, Response to Intervention (RTI), based on a child's response to scientific, research-based intervention in the evaluation of students suspected of having specific learning disabilities. Many school districts throughout the country are working to incorporate…

This report has been prepared as an introduction to standards-based individualized education programs (IEPs). It has been prepared especially for those who work in and are responsible for charter schools. It is an addition to the resources available on the Primers on Special Education in Charter Schools website that is designed specifically to…

This paper presents the third part of the "Massachusetts Primer on Special Education and Charter Schools." Part III addresses the issues concerning the education of students with disabilities at all stages in the development and operation of a Massachusetts charter school. The information is intended to inform those who are responsible…