Policy Committee of Teacher Education Division

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bit.ly/TED_IDEA50 #IDEA50 #IDEA #specialed #specialeducation #edadvocacy #disability

On Thursday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on “The State of K-12 Education.” Lawmakers and experts expressed concern about declining student achievement, citing recent NAEP scores and pandemic-related setbacks. Key points: The need for evidence-based literacy instruction and stronger academic standards; Growing support for teacher apprenticeships and mentorship programs to address shortages; Concerns about chronic absenteeism, student engagement, and mental health challenges; Debate over federal education funding levels and prioritieshe need for evidence-based literacy instruction and stronger academic standards; Growing support for teacher apprenticeships and mentorship programs to address shortages; Concerns about chronic absenteeism, student engagement, and mental health challenges; Debate over federal education funding levels and priorities; Committee leaders offered different perspectives: Chairman Bill Cassidy emphasized school choice, while Ranking Member Bernie Sanders highlighted the importance of addressing poverty and living conditions that impact student learning. You can watch the full hearing at https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings

Watch the latest Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on “The State of K-12 Education" here: www.help.senate.gov/hearings

#senate #education #edusky #k12ed

The latest TED and CEC Collaboration Podcast episode has dropped! Tune in to hear about the 2025 Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS) with an interview with Drs. Claire Hughes and Fang Xu! Listen on Spotify (link in Linktree in bio).
#sped #specialeducation #edpolicy #edadvocacy #education

Curious how changes to #Medicaid will impact #students with #disabilities? Swipe through to learn more! #sped #specialed #edpolicy #specialeducation

The next virtual Washington Update is this Thursday, 8/28 at 3pm EST! Make sure to register if you haven’t (on our Linktree in our bio).

🌟 Announcing the 2025–2026 TED Policy Fellows! 🌟 We are thrilled to introduce the newly selected TED Policy Fellows! These exceptional doctoral students have been chosen for their passion, talent, & commitment to advancing policy & advocacy in the fields of special education and teacher preparation.

Alt Text: Graphic with a green background and geometric designs features a megaphone in the lower left corner and text in a white speech bubble that reads: “URGENT CALL TO ACTION” IDEA Part D grantees: Urgent funding threats are emerging, especially for DEI-related projects and national TA centers — confirm your status and help us coordinate next steps. Join TED’s emergency Zoom meeting Monday 8/11 at 1PM ET to discuss what’s at stake and how we respond. At the bottom right is the logo of the Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Multiple trusted sources are reporting that #OSEP may be preparing to cancel hundreds of #IDEA Part D #grants. @ted-cec.bsky.social is hosting an urgent meeting Monday, 8/11 at 1PM ET to discuss the situation & next steps. Register to attend at the first link in our Linktree (in bio).

TED Members stand alongside 600 partner organizations urging the immediate disbursement of legally obligated funds. Read the letter and get access to more resources at:
www.edfundsnow.org
#edpolicy #edadvocacy #specialeducation #appropriations #ed

TED members ready to advocate #4SpecialEducation on Capitol Hill for #SELS2025 tomorrow! @ted-cec.bsky.social @cecmembership.bsky.social

Are you a @ted-cec.bsky.social member of @cecmembership.bsky.social at #SELS2025? Join the TED Policy Committee for an informal meet and greet TODAY at 5pm!
#4SpecialEducation

I’m sure I know a few doc students who might be interested! @cec-dr.bsky.social @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social

Flyer for a special event hosted by the TED Policy Committee titled “Washington Update with Dr. Kait Brennan” and “Speak Up for SPED.” The event will include a virtual Washington update from Dr. Kait Brennan, followed by time for participants to contact their members of Congress as part of the “Speak Up for SPED” drive (a call and email campaign running through July 3). The event is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 3 PM EST on Zoom. The flyer includes a headshot of Dr. Brennan in a circular frame, and features bright green and teal design elements. Social media handles and a Linktree URL are listed at the bottom: • @cec_ted_policy (Instagram) • linktr.ee/cec_ted_policy • @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social (Bluesky)

Join the TED Policy Committee THIS Thursday, 6/26 at 3pm EST for a special joint event. Attend by registering for the 6/26 Virtual Washington Update (Zoom registration link in our Linktree which is in bio). #education #specialeducation #edpolicy #edadvocacy

Alt text: Flyer titled “Speak Up for SPED: A Call & Email Session with Community Circle.” It lists three session times: Monday, 6/16 at 1pm EST; Tuesday, 6/17 at 10am EST; and Wednesday, 6/18 at 4pm EST. A green box on the right reads: “Join members of the TED Policy Committee and others for an hour of advocating and sharing in community in response to the proposed FY2026 budget. Zoom registration required (link in post or bio).” Background features green megaphone icons. Social media and website links are included at the bottom.

The TED Policy Committee is challenging members to participate in a Speak Up for SPED Prep & IDEA Funding Phone/Email Drive! You can make calls/send emails ANYTIME or you can join us next week to make your calls. Registration in Linktree (in bio). #sped #specialeducation #edadvocacy #edpolicy

Podcast promotional graphic with a green background and repeated text reading “NEW EPISODE” in light green. In the center, a rounded square resembling a podcast player displays the cover art for “The TED & CEC Collaboration Podcast.” The logo features a megaphone and the words “Policy, Advocacy, & Action” around it, with the subtitle “Empowering and amplifying the voices of educators.” Logos for TED (Teacher Education Division) and the Council for Exceptional Children appear at the bottom. Below the podcast art, text reads: “JOSEP Special Issue featuring issue lead authors.” Playback icons such as shuffle, rewind, play, forward, and share are also displayed.

The latest episode of the TED and CEC Collaboration podcast features members of the TED Policy Committee in a panel discussing their articles from the recent JOSEP special issue on #specialeducation advocacy and policy. Link to Spotify channel in our Linktree (in bio). #edpolicy #edadvocacy

Alt text: Promotional flyer for an event titled “Washington Update with Dr. Kait Brennan.” The flyer invites TED Policy Committee members and others to hear the latest happenings in education policy. The event is scheduled for May 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST. There is a “Register Now” button and a note for TED members to click the Zoom link in the Linktree. The flyer includes a photo of Dr. Kait Brennan smiling and seated on stairs, wearing a dark pinstripe suit. Contact and social media information is listed at the bottom, including a Linktree URL, Instagram handle @cec_ted_policy, and a butterfly icon linking to the social platform bksy.

The next virtual Washington Update is THIS Thursday, 5/22 at 3PM EST. @ted-cec.bsky.social members make sure to register so you can join and get caught up on the latest #edpolicy happenings in DC and beyond!

Alt text: Flyer announcing a new special issue of the Journal of Special Education Preparation focused on special education advocacy and policy, released in May 2025. The flyer features a colorful image of a tree made of multicolored circles and two tilted polaroid-style images—one showing the journal cover and the other a “Table of Contents” listing six article titles. The flyer encourages readers to explore the collaboration between the TED Policy Committee and the journal, with articles available in text and podcast form. Contact and social media links are provided at the bottom, including Twitter and Instagram handles (@cec_ted_policy) and a Linktree URL.

We were thrilled to collaborate with #JOSEP on this #specialissue on #policy and #advocacy in #specialeducation! All articles are openly available in text and podcast forms. Find the link to the special issue in our Linktree (in bio). #ed #edadvocacy #sped #disability

Alt text: A green and cream-toned illustrated flyer announces the 2025–2026 TED Policy Fellows program. At the top, bold text reads “25–26 TED Policy Fellows.” Below, a green speech bubble states “Apps due 6/1/25!” The flyer features a cartoon woman holding papers, with a text box next to her that reads: “Complete the prompts and upload your CV and advisor’s letter of recommendation in the Google Form.” Icons of a government building, shaking hands, and a clipboard appear nearby. At the bottom, it says “APPLY NOW” with a link: “linktr.ee/cec_ted_policy.”

Are you a TED member & doctoral #student (or do you know one) looking to get more involved in special education #policy and #advocacy? Consider applying to be a 2025-2026 TED Policy Fellow! Applications are due by midnight EST on 6/1/25. Link to the app can be found in our Linktree (in bio). #sped

Flyer for the “25–26 TED Policy Fellows Interest Meeting.” It invites individuals interested in becoming a TED Policy Fellow to learn about the fellowship from the 24–25 fellows and ask questions. The meeting is scheduled for May 12th, 2025, at 2 PM EST on Zoom. Registration is required, with the link provided in their Linktree. The flyer features an illustration of a person using a computer, which displays a screen with icons representing a speaker and audience. Social media handles @cec_ted_policy and @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social are listed at the top right. The design uses green tones and a clean, modern layout.

Are you a graduate student (or do you know one) looking to get more involved in special education advocacy? Consider applying to be a TED Policy Fellow! Current fellows are hosting an info session on Monday, 5/12/25 at 2pm EST. Registration link for the info session is in our Linktree (in bio).

New editorial vision for TESE! The new editors (Bettini, Rodgers, & Scott) aim to: ✅ Advance intersectional equity ✅ Build interdisciplinary connections & ✅ Strengthen policy impact/author support. doi.org/10.1177/0888...; tedcec.org @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @ted-kaleidoscope.bsky.social

Alt text: A promotional flyer with a green “POSTPONED” banner diagonally across the top. The flyer is for the “Advocacy in Action” Webinar & Workshop Series, Session 4. The message reads: “The fourth Advocacy in Action session previously scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th at 1:30 EST is now postponed. Please check our socials soon for a new date/time for this session. Thanks!” At the bottom are three social media links: @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social, @cec_ted_policy on Instagram, and linktr.ee/cec_ted_policy. The background includes faint clock illustrations.

We are postponing our Advocacy in Action session for today. We are working on finalizing a new date/time & will share that information out when we are able. Thanks!
#edpolicy

Flyer for an event titled “Washington Update with Dr. Kait Brennan.” The event is hosted by the TED Policy Committee and will cover the latest happenings in education policy. It is scheduled for April 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST. There is a call to action button that says “Register Now.” The flyer includes a professional photo of Dr. Kait Brennan, who is wearing a dark pinstripe blazer and seated on a staircase. Social media and website links for the TED Policy Committee are listed at the bottom, including Instagram (@cec_ted_policy), Linktree (linktr.ee/cec_ted_policy), and cec-ted-policy.bksy.social. The flyer has a green background with blue and light green abstract shapes.

Curious to hear how the latest #edpolicy shifts are playing out in Washington & beyond? Join TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan, during next virtual Washington Update on Thursday, 4/24 at 3pm EST! Zoom registration is open to all TED members (access on our Linktree in our bio). #specialeducation

Reminder! Happening tomorrow. Register at the Advocacy in Action Zoom link on our Linktree (in bio)!

Promotional flyer for the “Advocacy in Action” Webinar & Workshop Series. This is Session 3, titled “Featured Panel: Engaging in Advocacy in Higher Education.” The flyer features photos of four panelists: Emily Frake, Ph.D.; David Hoppey, Ph.D.; Catherine Howerter, Ph.D.; and Jennifer Sears, Ph.D. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15th at 1:30pm EST on Zoom. Social media handles and a linktree are provided at the bottom of the flyer: @cec_ted_policy.bsky.social, @cec_ted_policy, and linktr.ee/cec_ted_policy. The background has a light green watercolor design.

Our third Advocacy in Action session is on Tuesday, 4/15 at 1:30pm EST! We have a wonderful panel lined up to share insights, experiences, and resources on #advocacy in #highereducation. If you are a TED member, use the Zoom registration link in our Linktree (in bio) to register! #edpolicy #highered

Happening this afternoon! Make sure to register.

Our #podcast has a special series highlighting stories of folks who may be impacted by #edpolicy changes. This episode features Lacey Henderson, a #RN & parent to a child with significant needs. Listen on #Spotify through our Linktree (in bio)! Also on Apple Podcasts. #disability #family #medicaid

Our #toolkit has gotten an #upgrade! Visit our brand new #website to access a ton of #free #resources to help with your #advocacy efforts! #edpolicy #school #sped #specialeducation #specialed #teacher #swd ACCESS HERE: sites.google.com/view/ted-pol...

The TED Policy Committee’s webinar and workshop series, Advocacy in Action, will have our second session on Tuesday, 4/1 at 1:30pm EST. See the photo for our agenda and our wonderful line up of speakers. TED members, register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

TED members don’t forget to join the Washington update today!
Register at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Our #podcast has started a new series highlighting #stories of folks who may be or already have been impacted by changes in #education policy. Today’s episode features @whatdrnancyknows.bsky.social who recently lost her job in #edresearch due to funding cuts. Listen on Spotify (link
in bio).

Eliminating #TitleI will result in #funding cuts that would jeopardize the #jobs of nearly 300,000 #teachers across the country. #ed #education #sped #specialeducation #school #student #teacher