Federal Legislation & News
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Can fish see water?
This week's question came from Troy — which is to say, it arrived with a fully developed argument attached. Some questions are simple on the surface. This was not one of those questions. The question "Can fish see water?" He wasn't asking because he didn't know. He...
CA: Special education has become a flash point in negotiations with teachers
EdSource When more than 90% of San Diego Unified School District teachers voted to authorize a strike, it wasn’t just about pay increases or health care benefits — it was about special education caseloads that some teachers say are pushing them out of the profession....
N.J. education challenges 2026: What Sherrill must address
nj.com Special education advocates also say Sherrill’s administration needs to consider making major changes to how funding is distributed for students with disabilities. The special education portion of the formula sends too much money to some districts and not...
NC: A tool meant to support students could be delaying needed special education services
WUNC News For families whose kids need special education services, the system they have to pass through can sometimes be an obstacle instead of a help. Starting in 2020, all North Carolina schools were required to use a framework called Multi-Tiered Systems of...
TN: State lawmaker hopes to pass bill requiring training for special education students
WZTV House Bill 0448, which Glynn first introduced last year, would require all teachers to receive specialized training in de-escalation and conflict resolution for special education students. "And so what this bill does is give them those few things or few tools...
WV: Legislation would change school funding framework, but not for another three years
WV MetroNews The House of Delegates will consider legislation that will change funding for local school systems, although it wouldn’t kick in until three years from now. “I support this bill, and I will continue to support this bill,” said Delegate Clay Riley, vice...
COPAA Files Amicus Brief in the Eighth Circuit Regarding the Correct Standard for the Provision of a FAPE for Students with IEPs.
In February, COPAA filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in D.L. v. Omaha Public Schools in support of the family of a child with a disability. The brief urges the court to reverse the decision of the U.S. District Court for the...
President’s Budget Request Anticipated Week of March 30
The release of the President’s budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 is anticipated sometime during the week of March 30. The President’s budget request is typically released in early February, but is delayed this year because of the furlough during...
ED Seeks Comments on Comprehensive Centers Redesign: Literacy and Students With Disabilities Included as Priority
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released a notice seeking comments on proposed changes to the design and funding for the Comprehensive Centers (CC) program which are authorized under the Educational Technical Assistance Act administered by the Secretary of...
Senator Hirono to Host Press Conference Marking One-Year Anniversay of ED’s Reduction in Force
Wednesday, March 11 at 11:00 am ET/5:00 am HT, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), will host education advocates, leaders, and other stakeholders—including former U.S. Department of Education (ED) employees—at a press conference marking the one-year anniversary of...