Katherine Szocik
@kszocik.bsky.social
PhD in special education. Postdoctoral scholar. I study teacher preparation and professional identity development. Former ECSE teacher. She/her
It's been so great to work with this team-- check out our new paper on defining special educators' working conditions!
Excited to share a new Project RESPECT paper out today in RASE, defining special educators' working conditions! We often talk about "working conditions" but seldom precisely define them. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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journals.sagepub.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It's been so great to work with this team-- check out our new paper on defining special educators' working conditions!
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
November 29th, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act being signed into law. Celebrate with us by sharing your favorite pic from this post! Got more to say? Share with us what IDEA means to you at bit.ly/TED_IDEA50
#specialeducation #disability #IDEA
#specialeducation #disability #IDEA
November 20, 2025 at 12:18 AM
November 29th, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act being signed into law. Celebrate with us by sharing your favorite pic from this post! Got more to say? Share with us what IDEA means to you at bit.ly/TED_IDEA50
#specialeducation #disability #IDEA
#specialeducation #disability #IDEA
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
From New Jersey to Virginia and beyond, today voters put students first and elected pro-public education champions 🎉 🗳️ 🍎 https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social/post/3m4tvj2xl6z2k
Congratulations to Virginia's next governor! A champion for working people, @abigailspanberger.com worked tirelessly to protect the retirement security of educators and all public servants by leading the effort to repeal GPO-WEP.
This is a win for students, educators, families—all Virginians.
This is a win for students, educators, families—all Virginians.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor's race
NBC News projects Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to flip control of the governorship and become the first woman to lead the state.
www.nbcnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
From New Jersey to Virginia and beyond, today voters put students first and elected pro-public education champions 🎉 🗳️ 🍎 https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social/post/3m4tvj2xl6z2k
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
ACTION ALERT: Department of Education has nearly wiped out OSERS—offices essential to ensuring students with disabilities receive the services they’re guaranteed under IDEA. Congress must act NOW. Tell lawmakers: Restore OSEP. Protect IDEA. #4SpecialEducation
exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
October 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
ACTION ALERT: Department of Education has nearly wiped out OSERS—offices essential to ensuring students with disabilities receive the services they’re guaranteed under IDEA. Congress must act NOW. Tell lawmakers: Restore OSEP. Protect IDEA. #4SpecialEducation
exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
A new large-scale analysis of existing research in Review of Educational Research finds that school-provided social and emotional learning programs improve students’ academic achievement in addition to their social and emotional development. Read about it here: www.aera.net/Newsroom/Soc...
October 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
A new large-scale analysis of existing research in Review of Educational Research finds that school-provided social and emotional learning programs improve students’ academic achievement in addition to their social and emotional development. Read about it here: www.aera.net/Newsroom/Soc...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
Share your stories (written or recorded) here:
bit.ly/TED_IDEA50 #IDEA50 #IDEA #specialed #specialeducation #edadvocacy #disability
bit.ly/TED_IDEA50 #IDEA50 #IDEA #specialed #specialeducation #edadvocacy #disability
September 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Share your stories (written or recorded) here:
bit.ly/TED_IDEA50 #IDEA50 #IDEA #specialed #specialeducation #edadvocacy #disability
bit.ly/TED_IDEA50 #IDEA50 #IDEA #specialed #specialeducation #edadvocacy #disability
A fascinating tool to examine the impacts of potential changes to federal K-12 funding. www.urban.org/research/pub...
How Would Proposed Changes to Federal K–12 Title Spending Affect Your School District?
As district leaders face the uncertainty posed by these vastly different proposals and other downstream changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill, this data to…
www.urban.org
September 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A fascinating tool to examine the impacts of potential changes to federal K-12 funding. www.urban.org/research/pub...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
The U.S. Department of Education canceled twenty-five ongoing projects related to special education last week.
This breakdown provides a detailed look at the programs that were affected, as well as the actions that may follow.
This breakdown provides a detailed look at the programs that were affected, as well as the actions that may follow.
Trump Canceled Millions for Special Education Teacher Training. What's Next?
More than $30 million for teacher training and parent resources will no longer flow as scheduled.
www.edweek.org
September 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The U.S. Department of Education canceled twenty-five ongoing projects related to special education last week.
This breakdown provides a detailed look at the programs that were affected, as well as the actions that may follow.
This breakdown provides a detailed look at the programs that were affected, as well as the actions that may follow.
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
The Department of Labor (DOL) is thinking about making a rule. The rule would stop many domestic workers from getting paid at least minimum wage. The rule would also stop many domestic workers from getting overtime pay. Take action with our plain language guide: autisticadvocacy.org/2025/08/figh...
August 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Department of Labor (DOL) is thinking about making a rule. The rule would stop many domestic workers from getting paid at least minimum wage. The rule would also stop many domestic workers from getting overtime pay. Take action with our plain language guide: autisticadvocacy.org/2025/08/figh...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
Raids by masked ICE agents on the first day of school heighten the climate of fear in our community and further erode trust in law enforcement.
I thank Alexandria leaders including our Mayor and City Council for opposing these draconian tactics. I stand with them.
I thank Alexandria leaders including our Mayor and City Council for opposing these draconian tactics. I stand with them.
Community leaders condemn ICE arrests of construction workers in Alexandria's Chirilagua neighborhood
www.alxnow.com/2025/08/18/c...
www.alxnow.com/2025/08/18/c...
Community leaders condemn ICE arrests of construction workers in Alexandria’s Chirilagua neighborhood | ALXnow
Federal immigration agents arrested 15 construction workers at an Alexandria apartment complex on Monday afternoon, sparking an evening community rally where city officials and residents denounced the...
www.alxnow.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Raids by masked ICE agents on the first day of school heighten the climate of fear in our community and further erode trust in law enforcement.
I thank Alexandria leaders including our Mayor and City Council for opposing these draconian tactics. I stand with them.
I thank Alexandria leaders including our Mayor and City Council for opposing these draconian tactics. I stand with them.
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
“We applaud the actions that the Department of Education has taken to ensure that this important data collection continues in a timely manner. We encourage stakeholders to take the time to respond during this important 30-day period.” –AERA Exec Dir. Felice J. Levine
www.aera.net/Newsroom/Edu...
www.aera.net/Newsroom/Edu...
Education Research Groups Applaud Action on Advancing Civil Rights Data Collection
www.aera.net
August 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
“We applaud the actions that the Department of Education has taken to ensure that this important data collection continues in a timely manner. We encourage stakeholders to take the time to respond during this important 30-day period.” –AERA Exec Dir. Felice J. Levine
www.aera.net/Newsroom/Edu...
www.aera.net/Newsroom/Edu...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
NEW: The Trump administration confirmed today that Title IV-B funding for before/afterschool programs will soon flow, after Republican senators ramped up pushback this week.
That still leaves frozen at least $5.6 billion in education funding states expected July 1. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
That still leaves frozen at least $5.6 billion in education funding states expected July 1. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Trump Releases $1.4 Billion He Withheld From After-School Programs
More than $5 billion for education remains frozen.
www.edweek.org
July 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
NEW: The Trump administration confirmed today that Title IV-B funding for before/afterschool programs will soon flow, after Republican senators ramped up pushback this week.
That still leaves frozen at least $5.6 billion in education funding states expected July 1. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
That still leaves frozen at least $5.6 billion in education funding states expected July 1. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
New: SCOTUS clears the way for Trump's deep staffing cuts at the Education Department
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Supreme Court Clears Way for Trump to Shrink Education Department
The decision lifts a lower-court order that blocked mass layoffs at the agency.
www.wsj.com
July 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
New: SCOTUS clears the way for Trump's deep staffing cuts at the Education Department
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
HHS announced today they will consider Head Start a welfare program, not an education program, and will subject it to new citizenship requirements. This goes against decades of legal precedence that all children in America have a right to education. Announcement here. www.hhs.gov/press-room/p...
www.hhs.gov
July 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
HHS announced today they will consider Head Start a welfare program, not an education program, and will subject it to new citizenship requirements. This goes against decades of legal precedence that all children in America have a right to education. Announcement here. www.hhs.gov/press-room/p...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
Morning! I did a lil analysis and turns out that, when ED employees are illegally fired and contracts are canceled, ED is unable to fulfill its congressional mandate to publish national statistics on the condition of education.
Why does that matter? Well...
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Why does that matter? Well...
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
June 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Morning! I did a lil analysis and turns out that, when ED employees are illegally fired and contracts are canceled, ED is unable to fulfill its congressional mandate to publish national statistics on the condition of education.
Why does that matter? Well...
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Why does that matter? Well...
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
2️⃣ weeks out!
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
2️⃣ weeks out!
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
This win belongs to our students, our educators, our communities and to everyone who believes a free quality, public education is worth fighting for.
BREAKING: We just won in court to block Trump’s attempt to demolish the Department of Education.
This historic court order will stop the mass firings of career civil servants whose work helps students with disabilities, provides support for parents, and ensures higher education is affordable.
This historic court order will stop the mass firings of career civil servants whose work helps students with disabilities, provides support for parents, and ensures higher education is affordable.
May 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
This win belongs to our students, our educators, our communities and to everyone who believes a free quality, public education is worth fighting for.
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
Public charter schools, just like other public schools, must abide by the Constitution.
In a victory for the separation of church and state, today’s decision means that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to fund religious charter schools.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/n...
In a victory for the separation of church and state, today’s decision means that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to fund religious charter schools.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/n...
Supreme Court blocks creation of religious charter school in Oklahoma
The court was deadlocked 4-4, which meant a state Supreme Court ruling that declared the school violated the constitutional separation of church and state remained in place.
www.npr.org
May 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Public charter schools, just like other public schools, must abide by the Constitution.
In a victory for the separation of church and state, today’s decision means that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to fund religious charter schools.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/n...
In a victory for the separation of church and state, today’s decision means that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to fund religious charter schools.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/n...
I didn't even know it was at risk!!
ERIC is an invaluable resource for teachers who want access to educational research. We have learned that this admin does react to pressure (in some cases). Any ideas for how we can protect ERIC? #ITeachmath #EduSky #AcademicSky
Another tiny, obscure corner of the Education Department is scheduled to lose funding this week. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
April 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
I didn't even know it was at risk!!
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
The National Survey on Health and Disability is open! If you are in the US & a person w a disability or chronic condition, please share your experiences. This is one of the largest national disability & health surveys that exists!
~15 minutes!
Take it at: kuhealthsurvey.org #DisabilityResearch
~15 minutes!
Take it at: kuhealthsurvey.org #DisabilityResearch
2025 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD)
National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) - Make your voice heard on topics important to the health and quality of life of people with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions!
kuhealthsurvey.org
April 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The National Survey on Health and Disability is open! If you are in the US & a person w a disability or chronic condition, please share your experiences. This is one of the largest national disability & health surveys that exists!
~15 minutes!
Take it at: kuhealthsurvey.org #DisabilityResearch
~15 minutes!
Take it at: kuhealthsurvey.org #DisabilityResearch
I'll be thinking on this terminology going foward: "The constructs minimally verbal and nonverbal explicitly or tacitly conflate spoken language with all linguistic abilities"
New editorial in @journalautism.bsky.social with @yesthattoo.bsky.social @jordynbzim.bsky.social and @bettyyu.bsky.social where we argue that "nonverbal" and "minimally verbal" are not useful constructs for grouping or describing autistic people. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Conceptualizing and describing autistic language: Moving on from ‘verbal’, ‘minimally verbal’ and ‘nonverbal’ - Kristen Bottema-Beutel, Alyssa Hillary Zisk, Jordyn Zimmerman, Betty Yu, 2025
journals.sagepub.com
April 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I'll be thinking on this terminology going foward: "The constructs minimally verbal and nonverbal explicitly or tacitly conflate spoken language with all linguistic abilities"
The senator just broke the record. Over 24 hours on the floor!
I’ve taken the Senate floor and will speak for as long as I’m physically able to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed and not being heard in this moment of crisis. Watch here:
Live: Speaking on Trump, Musk, and America’s Moral Moment on the Senate Floor | Senator Cory Booker
YouTube video by Senator Cory Booker
youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 11:40 PM
The senator just broke the record. Over 24 hours on the floor!
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
Wondering what the #EO to end the Department of Education means? Also wondering what you can do about it? Swipe to learn more & see how to take action! #sped #education #specialed #specialeducation #executiveorder #edadvocacy #teacher #student #IDEA #disability #swd #Congress #ED #school
March 22, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Wondering what the #EO to end the Department of Education means? Also wondering what you can do about it? Swipe to learn more & see how to take action! #sped #education #specialed #specialeducation #executiveorder #edadvocacy #teacher #student #IDEA #disability #swd #Congress #ED #school
I stay pretty informed but had no idea this was happening. Sharing for others in the same boat! Public comments open.
The HHS rule banning trans care from many ACA plans is open for public comment now. Only 3 comments so far.
Embarrassing how the media is completely ignoring this. There's likely over 200,000 trans people on ACA plans (1% of 24 million)
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Embarrassing how the media is completely ignoring this. There's likely over 200,000 trans people on ACA plans (1% of 24 million)
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
March 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I stay pretty informed but had no idea this was happening. Sharing for others in the same boat! Public comments open.
Reposted by Katherine Szocik
🚨The White House just issued an executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education. Eliminating ED or moving IDEA to another agency will be a step backward in serving those with disabilities.
Tell your representatives to protect ED: exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
Tell your representatives to protect ED: exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
March 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
🚨The White House just issued an executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education. Eliminating ED or moving IDEA to another agency will be a step backward in serving those with disabilities.
Tell your representatives to protect ED: exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...
Tell your representatives to protect ED: exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...