Special Ed. Identification

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Special Education Whitepaper Supporting Students With Dyslexia: A Practical Guide
Explore research-informed approaches to dyslexia support, from early recognition and accessible learning to literacy instruction, MTSS an...
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Students in the online blended learning class at the ALLIES School in Colorado Springs, Colo., work with programs like ST Math and Lexia, both created for students with dyslexia, on April 7, 2023.
Under a new definition, students wouldn't need to have "unexpected" learning gaps to be identified for dyslexia services. Students in the online blended learning class at the ALLIES School in Colorado Springs, Colo., work with literacy programs created for students with dyslexia, on April 7, 2023.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education What a New Dyslexia Definition Could Mean for Schools
An updated definition put forth by an international group of researchers could identify more students.
Sarah Schwartz, November 24, 2025
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5 min read
Illustration of a young girl with hands on her head, having difficulty reading with scrambled letters on the pages of an open book.
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Special Education Schools Lag in IDing Kids Who Need Special Education. Are They Catching Up?
Schools in one state are making progress addressing a pandemic-fueled backlog of special education identifications.
Evie Blad, December 11, 2024
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5 min read
Photo of teacher and blind student using braille slate.
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English Learners English Learners With Disabilities: The Rules Schools Have to Follow
Schools can't force English learners with disabilities to choose between special ed. and language instruction—and other tips from OCR.
Ileana Najarro, November 14, 2024
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4 min read
Two student silhouettes face each other one overflowing with vegetation and the other almost empty by comparison. Learning Differences. Over and under diagnosis.
Nix Ren for Education Week
Special Education 'Handcuffed and Pushed Out': How Schools Fail Some Students With Disabilities
What can happen to students and schools when disabilities are over- and under-identified in children.
Brooke Schultz, October 7, 2024
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8 min read
An elementary teacher delivers a lesson in Spanish in a dual-language immersion class.
An elementary teacher delivers a lesson in Spanish in a dual-language immersion class. A report found that vulnerable students bear the brunt of slow academic-recovery gains.
Allison Shelley for EDUimages
Equity & Diversity Students Fell Behind During the Pandemic. Who Stayed Behind?
Not enough students are receiving the support they need, and there's a disproportionate toll on the most vulnerable students.
Brooke Schultz, September 17, 2024
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7 min read
Timothy Allison, a collaborative special education teacher in Birmingham, Ala., works with a student at Sun Valley Elementary School on Sept. 8, 2022.
Timothy Allison, a collaborative special education teacher in Birmingham, Ala., works with a student at Sun Valley Elementary School on Sept. 8, 2022.
Jay Reeves/AP
Special Education How a Mindset Shift Can Help Solve Special Education Misidentification
Many educators face the problem of misidentification of special education students. Here are strategies educators are using to fix it.
Isaiah Hayes, June 27, 2024
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3 min read
Blank puzzle pieces in a bunch with a person icon tile standing alone to the side.
Liz Yap/Education Week with iStock/Getty
Special Education Impact of Missed Special Ed. Evaluations Could Echo for Years
The onset of COVID-19 slowed special education identification. Four years later, a new study hints at the massive scale of the impact.
Evie Blad, June 25, 2024
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6 min read
Tue., June 18, 2024, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Special Education Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table - Special Education: Proven Interventions for Academic Success
Special education should be a launchpad, not a label. Join the conversation on how schools can better support ALL students.
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June 18, 2024
Full length side view of Black female instructor in mid 40s with hand on shoulder of a Black elementary boy as they stand in corridor and talk.
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Special Education What the Research Says One Group of Teachers Is Less Likely to Identify Black Students for Special Ed. Why That Matters
Researchers say their findings argue for diversifying the teacher workforce.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 6, 2024
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4 min read
Illustration of people climbing stacks of books. There are 3 stacks of books at different heights with people helping people climb up.
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Special Education Explainer MTSS: What Is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports?
MTSS, or multi-tiered system of supports, is a widely used framework meant to offer students personalized education that meets their needs.
Eesha Pendharkar, October 13, 2023
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7 min read
Conceptual image of wooden alphabet tiles scattered across blue metallic surface.
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Special Education Test Your Knowledge: How Does Universal Screening for Dyslexia in Schools Work?
Take our quiz to gauge your knowledge of the language processing disorder—and find links to further reading.
Hayley Hardison, September 18, 2023
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1 min read
Young girl with teacher learning sign language.
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English Learners How to Identify and Serve English Learners with Disabilities
When it comes to identifying and serving English learners with disabilities, there are various nuances at play.
Ileana Najarro, September 7, 2023
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4 min read
Photo of California capitol dome.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
Special Education California Joins 40 States in Mandating Dyslexia Screening
California joins the majority of states that conduct universal screening in the early grades to identify reading delays, including dyslexia.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 12, 2023
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3 min read