Racial disproportionality in special education is a deep seated and complex educational inequity plaguing the United States educational system. In this article we outline how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, although a civil rights based legislation, cannot sufficiently address racially disproportionate outcomes in special…

Recent sexual assault scandals have brought public attention to the fact that there is a need for colleges to aggressively address the issues surrounding sexual assaults on their campuses. Studies indicate that one in four women are being sexually assaulted each year, but few women report this. Women suffer major psychological issues when…

In recent years, the federal government has invested billions of dollars to reform chronically low-performing schools. To fulfill their federal Race to the Top grant agreement, Tennessee implemented three turnaround strategies that adhered to the federal restart and transformation models: (a) placed schools under the auspices of the Achievement…

This article explores past and current education testing frameworks as a pretext for constructing a policy platform with the efficacy to transform systems and structures that hinder opportunities and resist equitable practices. The rise of accountability in education public policy has brought about intended and unintended outcomes. As prescribed,…

Thirty years after the Council for Exceptional Children's first symposium on Asian American youth with disabilities, this study synthesizes research on the key experiences of this population and their families. Results show that most studies focused on the views of Asian American parents, especially their perceptions of and attitudes toward…

In recent years, LGBT case law and legislation has evolved in ways that significantly impact the everyday experiences of students and employees in the K-12 context. However, uncertainties remain and the fight for full equality continues. Understanding the legal landscape is crucial to being an effective advocate for change. This article examines…

In the spirit of moving toward a more "global community", multicultural special education practices designed to reach culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students represent an imperative in countries world-wide where education is a core value, including the United States (U.S.) and South Korea. As CLD students in the U.S. and…

Parent involvement in education has long been viewed as a pathway to increased student achievement. Although much research exists with regard to this topic, little examines this relationship specifically for students with disabilities in grades 1-5 despite being required by both the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with…

In 2009, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) launched its "Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research" (ED509368), providing a framework to guide the efforts of Federal and private funders of autism research. The "IACC Strategic Plan," developed with extensive input from a broad array of Federal and…

Returning more responsibility to states for making education policy was the central premise (and promise) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Shortly after the bill passed in December 2015, states set to work on plans for using ESSA to shape policy in their states. Their assumption was that the federal government would provide some…

Each year, students in elementary and secondary education fall victim to unacceptable behaviors with sexual overtones, ranging from inappropriate touching and online conversations to physical sexual assault. Most schools have policies and procedures for keeping children safe from a range of threats and hazards, such as natural disasters, flu…

This document records testimony from a hearing held to help students succeed through the power of school choice. Across the country, efforts are underway to empower parents with more options when it comes to their children's education. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Jared Polis, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Early Childhood,…

This hearing is the 11th in a series of hearings to inform the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions about the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The focus is on campus sexual assault--a topic of profound importance. Too many students are being assaulted on the Nation's college campuses. According to current research, an…

The passing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act---later renamed the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act---mandated that schools and districts ensure that all available education services were comparable between students with disabilities and general education students. This mandate led to students with disabilities and…

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act prioritizes the needs and barriers of vulnerable youth, including students experiencing homelessness. Students experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience trauma and feel unsettled, move frequently and be highly mobile. Accordingly, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program has guided…