CEC Policy Insider

The Condition of Education

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) recently released “The Condition of Education 2019,” a congressionally mandated report to the country on education in America today. The report presents 48 indicators under four areas: pre-primary, elementary, and secondary education; post-secondary education. It also contains data on labor force outcomes, population characteristics and international comparisons and spotlights several issues of policy interest: young adult educational and employment outcomes by family status and post-secondary outcomes for non-traditional undergraduate students. One section is reserved to discuss statistical trends of students ages 3–21 who received special education services.

For a snapshot of key information, check out the “At a Glance” and “Highlights” options.

Educational Technology New Award Available

The U.S. Department of Education issued a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 2019 for Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities—Stepping-up Technology Implementation. The purpose of the award is to improve results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of assistive technology devices and services and to provide accessible educational materials to children with disabilities in a timely manner.

The deadline is July 22, 2019 and an informational pre-Application webinar will be available.

Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

The Administration’s Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions details the actions administrative agencies plan to issue in the near and long term. Agencies can amend and/or eliminate regulations that are ineffective, duplicate or obsolete. See what is on the list of active regulatory actions for the U.S. Department of Education.

SELS in 150 Words with Amanda Walkup

"SELS has changed my life. It opened a whole new world for me, where I've learned about how Congress operates, how to prepare and give an informative "elevator speech," and numerous ways to advocate for our students. I am honored to be able to represent my state as we fight for the field of special education and our students' lives."

- Amanda Walkup, M.A., Ed.S., NBCT (South Carolina)

NCLD and Understood Release Forward Together

The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Understood recently released the report Forward Together: Helping Educators Unlock the Power of Students Who Learn Differently. Over the last year, NCLD and Understood have worked together to unpack the challenges teachers face in reaching and teaching the 1 in 5 students with learning and attention issues. The report analyzes the experience of students with learning and attention issues in general education classrooms, where the majority of these students spend most of their time. For the report, NCLD and Understood:

• surveyed 1,350 teachers across the country,
• conducted 13 teacher focus groups,
• reviewed 150 academic and empirical articles,
• and analyzed teacher certification across 50 states 

The report found that general education teachers feel significantly under-prepared to teach students with learning disabilities, but are eager to improve their practice. “Forward Together” articulates the challenges teachers face, identifies critical mindsets and essential practices for success, and maps a way forward at various levels of the education system.