Cultural background plays a huge role in how families connect with services for kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These families often hit roadblocks when trying to get help. Why does this happen? And what can professionals do to make things easier? These are the questions that need to be asked. In today's world, cultural diversity is a big deal...
The U. S. Department of Education is undergoing major changes, and parents of children with disabilities are feeling the impact. The department is facing cuts and potential closures, leaving many worried about the future of special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is a key law that ensures students with disabilities recei...
Virtual reality (VR) is not just for fun and games. It can also be a powerful tool for learning and therapy. VR-based serious games are digital games designed with a purpose beyond entertainment. They are used for education or therapy. One area where VR-based serious games have shown promise is in improving motor learning. However, their impact on gross motor sk...
The U. S. Department of Education is facing big changes. President Trump has decided to move the management of federal student loans and special needs programs to other federal agencies. This move is part of a broader effort to reshape the department. First, let's talk about student loans. The federal student loan portfolio is huge. It manages about 1. 6 trillion do...
Parents of children with disabilities often find themselves in a tough spot. They must fight for their kids' rights to proper education services. This fight can be long, complex, and expensive. Recent changes at the U. S. Education Department might make this battle even harder. The U. S. Education Department has a role in helping families who can't afford a lawyer. ...
Idaho's public schools are facing a significant challenge. The state's funding model for K-12 education doesn't account for the extra needs of students with special requirements. This means districts with a higher number of these students are left with a substantial funding gap. The state's funding formula is based on average daily attendance and doesn't adjust for t...
The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, traditionally focused on ensuring disability services in schools, has shifted gears under President Donald Trump. The office has paused thousands of ongoing cases to prioritize investigations aligned with the president’s political agenda. This shift has led to a significant backlog in cases involving students with d...
The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has traditionally been a strong advocate for disability services in schools across America. However, under the current administration, its priorities have shifted dramatically. Instead of focusing on its core mission, the office has been redirected to align with the president's political agenda. This shift has led to...
Parents like Christine Smith Olsey faced a tough time when they tried to get help for their kids with disabilities. Olsey's son was struggling in school, and she knew something wasn't right. She asked for extra help, but the school didn't listen. So, she filed a complaint with the state and then with the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights. But just as her...
The head of Chicago's teachers union, Stacy Davis Gates, got some heat for her remarks at a recent meeting. She compared Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to a student with special needs. Her exact words were something like, "Pedro can't be suspended because he should get extra help like kids in IEP programs. " An IEP is a personalized education plan for kids...