In this article, James Joshua Coleman and Jon Wargo interrogate the (queer) child as a concept and specter that haunts civic life in the United States. Whereas scholars across a range of fields and standpoints have questioned the value of LGBTQ+ inclusion in public school curricula, and society more broadly, together Coleman and Wargo wonder at…

Many public higher education institutions throughout the United States are experiencing drastic shifts related to their services for underrepresented and at-risk student populations. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have been at the American forefront since as early as the 1950s-1960s when the Civil Rights Movement first gained…

New Hampshire has several initiatives underway that support work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for students. However, a recent review of those initiatives indicated that the state uses eight different definitions explaining the characteristics and expectations of a WBL experience. As a result of the lack of a common definition, local…

Restraint and seclusion are frequently misused in schools, leading to harmful outcomes for students. There is currently no federal law regulating these practices, which has led to inconsistencies in state and district policies. This policy paper aims to provide a brief background on current definitions, case law, and policies and provide teachers…

This next article in the series on evaluation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) focuses on the common, core responsibility of school psychologists for timely completion of the initial evaluation. For this topic, first is a legal analysis and then a discussion for professional implementation that includes ethical…

2024 marked another year of considerable legislative progress by charter school supporters across the country. Advocates notched significant policy wins from coast to coast, including in red, blue, and purple states. This report provides highlights from this year's state legislative activity across the country, organized into the following…

Youth who are impacted by the justice system encounter myriad challenges as they move through and between education and juvenile justice systems. Policymakers play an important role in mitigating these challenges. Challenges include exclusionary discipline practices that increase the likelihood of involvement in the justice system, lack of…

Pursuant to CRS 23-1-141, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) is required to report on necessary steps and any barriers identified including recommendations for necessary legislative changes to deliver a statewide longitudinal data system in Colorado that connects K-12, postsecondary education and workforce information. This report…

This article discusses the historical context, contemporary iterations, and policy processes and political actors that produced Florida's House Bill 1557, which criminalizes discourse in schools, including curricular and instructional materials containing any perceived reference to LGBTQIA+ identities. Implementation and considerations of H.B.…

In the 2023 report "Colorado's Longitudinal Data Landscape. Report to the Education Committees of the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate. Statute: 23-1-141," the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) provided a detailed overview of Colorado's long history of efforts to support more connected, longitudinal…

An array of federal, state, and local laws and policies come into play when situations arise that could compromise student safety. These laws and district policies combine to form an intricate and sometimes inconsistent patchwork of protocols that schools must follow. Robert Kim discusses the interplay between federal, state, and local laws…

School psychologists are well served to stay up to date on trends in special education law, particularly with respect to determinations when school teams' decisions are challenged. This allows them to focus on proactive best practices that foster accurate specific learning disability (SLD) identification and active collaboration with parents. This…

The State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) is an important tool for states to assess local education agency (LEA) implementation of IDEA. However, reviewing LEA performance on the SPP/APR indicators must not be the only tool. This Fast Five introduces five factors (plus one!) other than the SPP/APR indicators that states should…

Extended school year (ESY) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has become a more frequent issue as a result of the learning loss and increased needs of some special education students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School psychologists often play a significant role in implementation of the IDEA requirements specific to ESY.…

Research indicates that the provision of quality health services in a school setting increases the use of primary care for adolescents. With an ever-changing array of physical and mental health needs for students and staff, state policymakers are adapting comprehensive health supports. This captures a spectrum of student health support elements,…