Special Education Action
@spedaction.bsky.social
Special Education Action's mission is to ensure parents, educators, and students have the information and tools necessary to fully understand, address, and safeguard the unique needs of all students.
@usedgov.bsky.social announced a directed investigation into D.C. Public Schools. Office for Civil Rights to helm the investigation & focus on determining “if the district is failing to meet the needs of students with special needs or disabilities.”
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
Office for Civil Rights Initiates Directed Investigation into District of Columbia Public Schools
The Investigation Will Focus on Disability Discrimination & Comes on the Heels of a Class Action Lawsuit Moving Forward Against District of Columbia's Office of the State Superintendent for Education
www.specialeducationaction.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
@usedgov.bsky.social announced a directed investigation into D.C. Public Schools. Office for Civil Rights to helm the investigation & focus on determining “if the district is failing to meet the needs of students with special needs or disabilities.”
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
Question:
A Prior Written Notice is provided after changes are proposed during IEP meetings, so why is “prior” a part of its name?
Answer:
The key distinction is between discussion, finalization, consent, and implementation. . . .
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/why-are-pr...
A Prior Written Notice is provided after changes are proposed during IEP meetings, so why is “prior” a part of its name?
Answer:
The key distinction is between discussion, finalization, consent, and implementation. . . .
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/why-are-pr...
Why are Prior Written Notices Called “Prior” If They Come After IEP Proposals?
Many Parents Understandably Wonder: If Changes are Discussed and Proposed During IEP Meetings, Why Does the "Prior" Written Notice Come After?
www.specialeducationaction.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Question:
A Prior Written Notice is provided after changes are proposed during IEP meetings, so why is “prior” a part of its name?
Answer:
The key distinction is between discussion, finalization, consent, and implementation. . . .
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/why-are-pr...
A Prior Written Notice is provided after changes are proposed during IEP meetings, so why is “prior” a part of its name?
Answer:
The key distinction is between discussion, finalization, consent, and implementation. . . .
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/why-are-pr...
In 2020, Special Education Action launched w/a goal to provide content free of charge. By 2025, rising operational & FOIA request costs made this unsustainable. Hence, the transition to a paid subscription. Thanks for your support in this next chapter. www.specialeducationaction.com/p/special-ed...
Special Education Action Launches Paid Subscription
Special Education Action made the difficult but necessary decision to transition from a free to a paid subscription model
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
In 2020, Special Education Action launched w/a goal to provide content free of charge. By 2025, rising operational & FOIA request costs made this unsustainable. Hence, the transition to a paid subscription. Thanks for your support in this next chapter. www.specialeducationaction.com/p/special-ed...
Bill Gates' suggestion for understanding difficult texts can be used to help students who struggle w/Dyslexia, advocacy, anxiety & more
Rather than considering AI a tool for cheating &/or an accommodation, it must be considered an education enhancer.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/bill-gates...
Rather than considering AI a tool for cheating &/or an accommodation, it must be considered an education enhancer.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/bill-gates...
Bill Gates: "You Really Should Stick it in the AI and Say, Explain This to Me Like a 6th Grader"
Microsoft Founder Bill Gates has a great suggestion for understanding difficult texts, which can be used to help students who struggle with Dyslexia, reading comprehension, advocacy, anxiety, & more.
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Bill Gates' suggestion for understanding difficult texts can be used to help students who struggle w/Dyslexia, advocacy, anxiety & more
Rather than considering AI a tool for cheating &/or an accommodation, it must be considered an education enhancer.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/bill-gates...
Rather than considering AI a tool for cheating &/or an accommodation, it must be considered an education enhancer.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/bill-gates...
A high school student graduated with a 3.4 GPA, even though he couldn't read. He advanced from grade to grade using speech-to-text, ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other AT accommodations.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/court-sets...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/court-sets...
Court Sets Precedent: Accommodations are Not Substitutions for Remediation
A high school student graduated with a 3.4 GPA, even though he couldn't read. He advanced from grade to grade using speech-to-text, ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other AT accommodations.
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
A high school student graduated with a 3.4 GPA, even though he couldn't read. He advanced from grade to grade using speech-to-text, ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other AT accommodations.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/court-sets...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/court-sets...
What’s the Accommodation?
Use of a flash pass.
How is it Supposed to be Implemented?
Student is given a flash pass to use throughout the school year. It grants student freedom to leave class as needed, w/o restrictions on frequency or duration.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/accommodat...
Use of a flash pass.
How is it Supposed to be Implemented?
Student is given a flash pass to use throughout the school year. It grants student freedom to leave class as needed, w/o restrictions on frequency or duration.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/accommodat...
Accommodation Breakdown: Flash Pass
Words matter, especially when it comes to writing IEPs and 504 Plans.
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
What’s the Accommodation?
Use of a flash pass.
How is it Supposed to be Implemented?
Student is given a flash pass to use throughout the school year. It grants student freedom to leave class as needed, w/o restrictions on frequency or duration.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/accommodat...
Use of a flash pass.
How is it Supposed to be Implemented?
Student is given a flash pass to use throughout the school year. It grants student freedom to leave class as needed, w/o restrictions on frequency or duration.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/accommodat...
Kimberly Richey nominated to serve as Assistant Sec for Civil Rights for @usedgov.bsky.social
1.12.21: When she previously held the same position, OCR announced directed investigations into @laschools.bsky.social & Fairfax County Public Schools.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/kimberly-r...
1.12.21: When she previously held the same position, OCR announced directed investigations into @laschools.bsky.social & Fairfax County Public Schools.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/kimberly-r...
Kimberly Richey Nominated to Be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
OCR Announced Directed Investigations into Two of the Largest School Divisions in the United States When Richey was Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Under the Previous Trump Administration
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Kimberly Richey nominated to serve as Assistant Sec for Civil Rights for @usedgov.bsky.social
1.12.21: When she previously held the same position, OCR announced directed investigations into @laschools.bsky.social & Fairfax County Public Schools.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/kimberly-r...
1.12.21: When she previously held the same position, OCR announced directed investigations into @laschools.bsky.social & Fairfax County Public Schools.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/kimberly-r...
@usedgov.bsky.social found Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education at fault for multiple counts of noncompliance w/Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/massachuse...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/massachuse...
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at Fault for Multiple Counts of Noncompliance with IDEA
Massachusetts Joins Growing List of States Identified by U.S. Department of Education as Noncompliant with Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 13, 2025 at 9:57 PM
@usedgov.bsky.social found Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education at fault for multiple counts of noncompliance w/Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/massachuse...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/massachuse...
@usedgov.bsky.social OCR Hit Record Low for Resolutions Released in Jan. YTD, OCR Released 8 Investigation Findings &/or Resolutions. None Address Disability Discrimination. Yet, there are 5K+ pending cases, 50+ have been pending 10+ years
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
Office for Civil Rights Hits Record Low for Resolutions Released in January; Over 5,000 Disability Discrimination Complaints Remain Pending
Six Weeks Into 2025, OCR Has Release Eight Investigation Findings and/or Resolutions. None Address Disability Discrimination.
www.specialeducationaction.com
February 13, 2025 at 1:13 PM
@usedgov.bsky.social OCR Hit Record Low for Resolutions Released in Jan. YTD, OCR Released 8 Investigation Findings &/or Resolutions. None Address Disability Discrimination. Yet, there are 5K+ pending cases, 50+ have been pending 10+ years
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
www.specialeducationaction.com/p/office-for...
A Response to Intervention Cannot Be Used to Delay or Deny an Evaluation for Special Education Services
specialeducationaction.com/a-response-t...
specialeducationaction.com/a-response-t...
A Response to Intervention Cannot Be Used To Delay Or Deny An Evaluation For Special Education Services
The United States Department of Education stated that, "State and LEAs have an obligation to ensure that evaluations of children suspected of having a disability are not delayed or denied because of i...
specialeducationaction.com
February 7, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A Response to Intervention Cannot Be Used to Delay or Deny an Evaluation for Special Education Services
specialeducationaction.com/a-response-t...
specialeducationaction.com/a-response-t...
Virginia Department of Education found @pwcsnews.bsky.social at fault for noncompliance w/IDEA, specifically related to a parent's request for an IEP meeting.
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-finds-p...
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-finds-p...
VDOE Finds Prince William County Public Schools in Noncompliance with IDEA
January 16, 2025, Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) found Prince William County Public Schools (PWCPS) at fault for noncompliance with IDEA. The compl ...
specialeducationaction.com
February 6, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Virginia Department of Education found @pwcsnews.bsky.social at fault for noncompliance w/IDEA, specifically related to a parent's request for an IEP meeting.
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-finds-p...
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-finds-p...
Virginia Dept of Ed opened an investigation into CCPS for systemic noncompliance related to:
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) – Transportation
Individualized Education Program (IEP) - Implementation
specialeducationaction.com/virginia-dep...
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) – Transportation
Individualized Education Program (IEP) - Implementation
specialeducationaction.com/virginia-dep...
Virginia Dept. of Education Opens Complaint Against Chesterfield County Public Schools; Investigation to Focus on Systemic Noncompliance Related to Transportation
January 23, 2025, Virginia Department of Education issued a notice of complaint (NOC) announcing its investigation into Chesterfield County Public Schools f ...
specialeducationaction.com
February 5, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Virginia Dept of Ed opened an investigation into CCPS for systemic noncompliance related to:
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) – Transportation
Individualized Education Program (IEP) - Implementation
specialeducationaction.com/virginia-dep...
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) – Transportation
Individualized Education Program (IEP) - Implementation
specialeducationaction.com/virginia-dep...
Class-action lawsuit against DC's OSSE continues forward. Case filed by 5 parents of students who have disabilities & by @thearcus.bsky.social. Focuses on failures to provide "safe, reliable, & appropriate" transportation for students who have disabilities.
specialeducationaction.com/class-action...
specialeducationaction.com/class-action...
Class-Action Lawsuit Continues Forward; Related Service of Transportation at Core of Suit Against District of Columbia's OSSE
A class-action lawsuit against District of Columbia's Office of the State Superintendent for Education will continue forward. The case was filed by fiv ...
specialeducationaction.com
February 4, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Class-action lawsuit against DC's OSSE continues forward. Case filed by 5 parents of students who have disabilities & by @thearcus.bsky.social. Focuses on failures to provide "safe, reliable, & appropriate" transportation for students who have disabilities.
specialeducationaction.com/class-action...
specialeducationaction.com/class-action...
Between Jan 18 & 23, 900+ pages were removed from US Dept of Ed site. Content removed focused on topics like OCR's findings/guidance. Pages archived by Wayback Machine indicate removing content is a presidential practice going back to at least Obama.
specialeducationaction.com/over-900-pag...
specialeducationaction.com/over-900-pag...
Over 900 Pages Removed from U.S. Department of Education’s Site; Wayback Machine Provides View of Removed Content and Presidential Practices
Between January 18 and January 23, 2025, over 900 pages of content were removed from U.S. Department of Education’s site. The content removed focuses on top ...
specialeducationaction.com
January 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Between Jan 18 & 23, 900+ pages were removed from US Dept of Ed site. Content removed focused on topics like OCR's findings/guidance. Pages archived by Wayback Machine indicate removing content is a presidential practice going back to at least Obama.
specialeducationaction.com/over-900-pag...
specialeducationaction.com/over-900-pag...
Office for Civil Rights releases report describing OCR enforcement record during Biden-Harris administration, says 2021–2025 marked “the most productive four years in [OCR’s] history" and a dramatic decline in staffing.
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
Office for Civil Rights Releases Report Describing OCR’s Enforcement Record During Biden-Harris Administration
"Office for Civil Rights’ new report, Protecting Civil Rights: Highlights of Activities, Office for Civil Rights 2021-25", covers OCR’s enforceme ...
specialeducationaction.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Office for Civil Rights releases report describing OCR enforcement record during Biden-Harris administration, says 2021–2025 marked “the most productive four years in [OCR’s] history" and a dramatic decline in staffing.
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
Inequities in education remain stark nationwide.
Office for Civil Rights released data from its 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. According to OCR, the 2021-22 CRDC contains information from over 17,000 school districts and over 98,000 schools.
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
Office for Civil Rights released data from its 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. According to OCR, the 2021-22 CRDC contains information from over 17,000 school districts and over 98,000 schools.
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
Office for Civil Rights Releases Civil Rights Data for 2021-22; Inequities in Education Continue
New data indicate inequities in education remain stark nationwide. U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights released data from its 2021-2 ...
specialeducationaction.com
January 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Inequities in education remain stark nationwide.
Office for Civil Rights released data from its 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. According to OCR, the 2021-22 CRDC contains information from over 17,000 school districts and over 98,000 schools.
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
Office for Civil Rights released data from its 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. According to OCR, the 2021-22 CRDC contains information from over 17,000 school districts and over 98,000 schools.
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
VDOE released 2 independent evaluations of its SpEd program, which it commissioned. However, it didn't advise the public that 1 of the reports was revised & it didn't release the original report, related invoices or communication until it was FOIA'd.
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-foia-in...
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-foia-in...
VDOE FOIA: Independent Evaluation Reports for Virginia Department of Education and Related Correspondence and Invoices
October 2023 reports for two evaluations VDOE commissioned to assess special education, correspondence between VDOE's Dr. Lisa Coons and the evaluators ...
specialeducationaction.com
January 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
VDOE released 2 independent evaluations of its SpEd program, which it commissioned. However, it didn't advise the public that 1 of the reports was revised & it didn't release the original report, related invoices or communication until it was FOIA'd.
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-foia-in...
specialeducationaction.com/vdoe-foia-in...
The school keeps saying "No" to everything I request, even though I have data supporting my student's needs for what I'm requesting. What do I do?
Answer:
You ask, "Where's the beef?" (a.k.a. "Show me the data")
specialeducationaction.com/what-do-you-...
Answer:
You ask, "Where's the beef?" (a.k.a. "Show me the data")
specialeducationaction.com/what-do-you-...
What do You Say When the School Says "No"? You Ask, "Where's the Beef?"
Parent: The school keeps saying "No" to everything I request, even though I have data supporting my student's needs for what I'm request ...
specialeducationaction.com
January 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The school keeps saying "No" to everything I request, even though I have data supporting my student's needs for what I'm requesting. What do I do?
Answer:
You ask, "Where's the beef?" (a.k.a. "Show me the data")
specialeducationaction.com/what-do-you-...
Answer:
You ask, "Where's the beef?" (a.k.a. "Show me the data")
specialeducationaction.com/what-do-you-...
100+ pages of invoices dated 2021.02.23, covering work between Oct 2020 & Jan 2021, which indicate B&K spent time on:
possible regulation of advocates
auditor response letter
review of media talking points
new regulations re restraint & seclusion
& more
specialeducationaction.com/fcps-foia-bl...
possible regulation of advocates
auditor response letter
review of media talking points
new regulations re restraint & seclusion
& more
specialeducationaction.com/fcps-foia-bl...
FCPS FOIA: Blankingship & Keith February 23, 2021, Invoices
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Virginia, has been a client of law firm Blankingship & Keith for decades. This record includes over 100 pages of i ...
specialeducationaction.com
January 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
100+ pages of invoices dated 2021.02.23, covering work between Oct 2020 & Jan 2021, which indicate B&K spent time on:
possible regulation of advocates
auditor response letter
review of media talking points
new regulations re restraint & seclusion
& more
specialeducationaction.com/fcps-foia-bl...
possible regulation of advocates
auditor response letter
review of media talking points
new regulations re restraint & seclusion
& more
specialeducationaction.com/fcps-foia-bl...
Office for Civil Rights releases new document that “explains the key elements of retaliation, outlines how OCR assesses retaliation claims, and provides examples that, depending on the facts and circumstances, could raise concerns of unlawful retaliation.”
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
Office for Civil Rights Addresses Retaliation in New Guidance Document
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released the new guidance document Civil Rights Protections Against Retaliation.
specialeducationaction.com
January 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Office for Civil Rights releases new document that “explains the key elements of retaliation, outlines how OCR assesses retaliation claims, and provides examples that, depending on the facts and circumstances, could raise concerns of unlawful retaliation.”
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
specialeducationaction.com/office-for-c...
FOIA Release: Office for Civil Rights' Open Investigations for Virginia Department of Education
specialeducationaction.com/foia-release...
specialeducationaction.com/foia-release...
FOIA Release: Office for Civil Rights' Open Investigations for Virginia Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) provided a response to a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request submitted to its office for “all letters issued from OCR to Lisa Coons and/or Jillian Balow between Jan 1, ...
specialeducationaction.com
December 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM
FOIA Release: Office for Civil Rights' Open Investigations for Virginia Department of Education
specialeducationaction.com/foia-release...
specialeducationaction.com/foia-release...
How to File a Privacy Complaint
Parents and/or students who believe a student’s privacy has been violated under FERPA, have a right to file a complaint. However, students who have IEPs have additional protection under IDEA.
specialeducationaction.com/how-to-file-...
Parents and/or students who believe a student’s privacy has been violated under FERPA, have a right to file a complaint. However, students who have IEPs have additional protection under IDEA.
specialeducationaction.com/how-to-file-...
How to File a Privacy Violation Complaint
Did your school division violate the privacy of your child? To file a complaint, you have a choice of filing with U.S. Dept. of Ed. SPPO and/or the state.
specialeducationaction.com
December 5, 2024 at 6:48 PM
How to File a Privacy Complaint
Parents and/or students who believe a student’s privacy has been violated under FERPA, have a right to file a complaint. However, students who have IEPs have additional protection under IDEA.
specialeducationaction.com/how-to-file-...
Parents and/or students who believe a student’s privacy has been violated under FERPA, have a right to file a complaint. However, students who have IEPs have additional protection under IDEA.
specialeducationaction.com/how-to-file-...
In Case You Missed It: U.S. Dept. of Education's Functional Behavior Assessment Webinar
specialeducationaction.com/in-case-you-...
specialeducationaction.com/in-case-you-...
In Case You Missed It: U.S. Dept. of Education's Functional Behavior Assessment Webinar
December 3, 2024, U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) held a webinar focused on using functional behavior assessments (FBA) to help shift from reactive exclusionary discipline to proactive support.
specialeducationaction.com
December 5, 2024 at 2:45 PM
In Case You Missed It: U.S. Dept. of Education's Functional Behavior Assessment Webinar
specialeducationaction.com/in-case-you-...
specialeducationaction.com/in-case-you-...
Parents Sue Literacy Experts, Publishers, and Schools; Who is Responsible, How Far Will This Go, and Why Does Big Pharma Come to Mind?
specialeducationaction.com/parents-sue-...
specialeducationaction.com/parents-sue-...
Parents Sue Literacy Experts, Publishers, and Schools; Who is Responsible, How Far Will This Go, and Why Does Big Pharma Come to Mind?
December 4, 2024, two Massachusetts parents filed a lawsuit against literacy experts Lucy Calkins, Irene Fountas, and Gay Su Pinnell; Board of Trustees of Teachers College, Columbia University; Heinem...
specialeducationaction.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Parents Sue Literacy Experts, Publishers, and Schools; Who is Responsible, How Far Will This Go, and Why Does Big Pharma Come to Mind?
specialeducationaction.com/parents-sue-...
specialeducationaction.com/parents-sue-...
U.S. Department of Education released a new guidance document to "help schools and early childhood programs better support students’ behavioral needs." Centers for Disease Control found "school discipline is an urgent public health problem."
specialeducationaction.com/students-beh...
specialeducationaction.com/students-beh...
Students' Behavioral Needs are Focus of New U.S. Department of Education Guidance Document
U.S. Department of Education released a new guidance document to "help schools and early childhood programs better support students’ behavioral needs.& ...
specialeducationaction.com
December 3, 2024 at 2:10 PM
U.S. Department of Education released a new guidance document to "help schools and early childhood programs better support students’ behavioral needs." Centers for Disease Control found "school discipline is an urgent public health problem."
specialeducationaction.com/students-beh...
specialeducationaction.com/students-beh...