Lions Connected (LC) is an inclusive postsecondary program approved by the U.S. Department of Education; thus meeting rigorous program standards and accountability. Equally important is that it gives eligible students from rural areas the opportunity to receive federal financial aid to attend college. The purpose of developing LC was to meet the…

A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) changes family dynamics and impacts family members' lives. Knowing family perceptions of ASD and understanding their experiences and challenges with children's ASD provides more important context for socially valid intervention approaches. In particular, given the increased need for culturally…

Students with learning disabilities (LD) often face significant difficulties in reading. Research has found a variety of different evidence-based practices to support the reading development of students with LD in areas such as word work, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. However, these practices are most often intended for use in traditional…

The success of all school-age children relies heavily on active engagement between caregivers and school communities (Francis et al., 2016). Meaningful parent-school partnerships involve reciprocal relationships that build on each other's expertise and are based on good communication, professional competence, advocacy, commitment, equality, and…

This study examined publicly available data from the Institution of Education Sciences (IES) survey of school leaders concerning modes of instructions offered and subgroups prioritized during the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked: Do national data regarding instructional modes (i.e., remote, hybrid, and in-person) during the COVID-19 pandemic reveal…

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a research-based framework intended to optimise student learning by including student choice of content, process, and product in design. The UDL model recommends presenting course content in multiple ways, providing students various options for engagement, and then facilitating choice in expressing knowledge…

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new educational challenges for students, teachers, and caregivers due to the changed and varied learning environments, use of face masks, and social distancing requirements. These challenges are particularly pronounced for students with hearing loss who often require specific accommodations to allow for…

This report summarizes grade-level promotion and graduation outcomes for 2,192 Austin Independent School District (AISD) students who participated in the Twilight Program in 2019-2020. Of the 12th-grade students enrolled in Twilight in 2019-2020, 92% graduated. Of Twilight students in 6th through 11th grades, 90% were promoted to the next grade…

Across the globe, a critical skill for 21st century special educators is the ability to work effectively with students with special needs from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. International exposure to other cultures through academic immersion experiences fosters those skills by helping teachers cultivate a global perspective. This…

We used longitudinal data on high school students in Washington State to assess the relationships between English Language Arts (ELA) teacher qualifications and the high school and postsecondary outcomes of their students, and whether these relationships differed for students with and without disabilities. We found that students assigned to…

Each year, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) offers a summer education program designed to assist students with a variety of instructional needs. In 2021, centrally coordinated summer school programs included accelerated instruction for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) re-testers;…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education around the world and created extraordinary new challenges for students, families, educators, and policymakers. Its impacts on students' learning and well-being are far reaching, though not yet fully understood. However, early evidence indicates disproportionate effects on students with disabilities, a…

This is the first volume in the U.S. Department of Education (ED) COVID-19 Handbook, a series intended to support the education community as schools reopen. This series will provide tools to aid educators in implementing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Prevention (K-12…

Working conditions may be an important lever to support special educators' reading instruction for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Thus, we explored how working conditions relate to the quality of special educators' reading instruction in upper-elementary, self-contained classes for students with EBD. Using mixed methods to…

This action research design drew on socioemotional conceptualizations of student validation. These concepts are based on stigmas, negative labels, and isolation bestowed on marginalized and oppressed students supported through special education, English language learners, foster care, and mental health services. This study examines conscious and…