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Special Education Reform That’s Good for Teachers in This Week’s AcceliBEAT

February 15, 2019

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Happy President’s Day weekend! Our featured story begins with special education best practices that place greater emphasis on teacher time and training, particularly the role of general education. In ed policy news, lawmakers are seeking over $1 billion to address the needs of people with autism, a lawsuit alleges the Denver teacher strike will severely impact over 10,000 special education students, and some state Medicaid programs are still failing to cover ABA treatment for children with autism, despite a federal mandate five years ago. In other news, toymaker Mattel said it will introduce Barbie dolls reflecting physical disabilities in order to better represent the world kids see around them, and a Massachusetts neighborhood is learning American Sign Language to make an inclusive environment for one of their youngest residents. All this and more in this week’s AcceliBEAT!


teacher with young students

Special Education Reform That’s Good for Teachers

Teachers and special education leaders know better than anyone else that the current approach to meeting the needs of students with disabilities is just too stressful.




Congress Considers Renewal of Autism Act

Lawmakers are looking to secure over $1 billion in the coming years for federal efforts to address the needs of people with autism, including additional support for adults on the spectrum.




Lawsuit Claims Denver Teacher Strike Could Harm Special Needs Students

More than 10,000 special education students will be “extremely impacted” by the Denver teacher strike, a new class action lawsuit alleges.




Playing Games Can Build 21st-Century Skills. Research Explains How.

Research has shown our brains are “wired for pleasure,” and that games are an effective way to learn because they simulate adventure and keep our brains engaged and happy. But what exactly do we learn from them?




illustration of student

A High-Crime Neighborhood Makes It Harder to Show up for School

Getting students to show up is one of the biggest challenges schools face: How can someone learn at school if they’re not there in the first place?




adult checking young child's health

States Skirting Obligation to Cover ABA Therapy

Despite a federal mandate nearly five years ago, several state Medicaid programs are still failing to cover treatment like applied behavior analysis for children with autism, advocates say.




teacher in inclusive classroom

Parents, Teachers Agree Inclusion Works for Students with Disabilities, but More Resources Are Needed

Teachers on inclusion: “We don’t get extra training. We don’t get extra time,” the educator said. “We are just expected to know what to do.”




Barbie to Roll out Dolls with Disabilities

“This year our Barbie line will include dolls reflecting physical disabilities in order to better represent the people and the world kids see around them. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a critical component of our design process.”



deaf child signing

Entire Neighborhood Learns Sign Language After Family Welcomes Deaf Baby

A Massachusetts neighborhood is coming together to make sure one of its youngest residents has a voice.






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