Special Education

A 3D-styled pie chart illustrating the distribution of Research and Development (R&D) resources based on the NSF NCSES National Patterns of R&D Resources: 2022-23 Update. The chart is divided into six segments, listed here in descending order of their financial contribution: Federal Govt: The largest segment, shown in dark blue, accounts for 51% of the total, valued at $39.5 B. Higher Ed. – Institutional: A light coral segment accounting for 23%, valued at $18.2 B. Non-profit at Research Institutes: A dark red segment accounting for 8%, valued at $6.1 B. Higher Ed. – Direct Philanthropy: A bright red segment accounting for 7%, valued at $5.8 B. Business: A grey segment accounting for 7%, valued at $5.2 B. Non-Federal Govt: The smallest segment, shown in light blue, accounting for 4%, valued at $3.2 B.

Here's a chart showing who funds basic research in the US. It's easy to tell that private funding cannot make up for significant cuts to government funding.

The chart shows the number of children eligible under IDEA. Jumps from 7.3 million in 2021 to over 8 million in 2024.

I think special education teachers are going to be busy for some time now. Hopefully, states and the fed will follow with additional funds for training pre-service teachers and salary increases for teachers.
From: www.k12dive.com/news/these-3...

My rule is that I only wear shorts if the temp is over 40 F. But that's my preference - been running 30+ years.

Optimism without reality is called delusion.

Restore OSEP!

Trump May Soon Defy Congress and Cut $5 Billion More From Schools Funding for migrant education, English-learner services, professional development, and after-school programming is at risk.

All this sounds terrible for students, their families, and schools --------Trump May Soon Defy Congress and Cut $5 Billion More From Schools www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

This figure is wild:

Judge bars Education Department from carrying out mass layoffs Education is unable to carry out its statutory responsibilities and the Trump administration must receive congressional approval before dismantling the department, judge rules.

Finally, some good news!

Go NJ!

U.S. Freezes Billions in Funding After Harvard Says It Will Fight Trump’s Demands The government responds to the university with a $2.26 billion freeze of the school’s grants and contracts.

I missed the news cycle in higher education while I was teaching finance this evening. The Harvard/Trump administration fight is going to be the defining story for higher education for the year of April 2025.

www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

This looks promising...let's hope the courts agree.

Why Writing Beats Typing. Brain scans reveal that the fine-motor skills involved in writing by hand light up parts of the brain associated with deeper learning. Illustration of two students at a desk. One is typing on a computer, and the other is writing by hand. There are illustrations symbolizing each student's brain activity: the one writing has many areas of the brain stimulated, while the one typing has fewer.

Neuroscientists say don’t write off handwriting! ✍️

Here's why.

🧵 1/10 #EduSky #EdResearch

Thank you, Cory Booker

Great idea for all kids (and adults)!

Pictured here with some incredible Ph.D. Candidates from UVA & @temple.edu, sharing our research at the @cecmembership.bsky.social conference in Baltimore! Thank you to Dr. Boyle (@allaboutspecialed.bsky.social) for your mentorship.

Yes, do more of this Dems!

Education Department Fires 1,300 Workers, Gutting Its Staff The layoffs mean that the department will now have a work force of about half the size it did when President Trump took office.

I was in DC today and saw some of my incredible colleagues at the department of ed. Thinking about all of the committed public servants who will lose their jobs because of the current administration--our children, students, educators, families, and communities will suffer because of it.

Re-Upping This 👇
When will university presidents begin to speak out as a large national coalition?

U.S. Department of Education Initiates Reduction in Force As part of the Department of Education’s final mission, the Department today initiated a reduction in force (RIF) impacting nearly 50% of the Department’s workforce.

Wow! 50% reduction! This is really, really bad...

At least 12 universities now have hiring freezes and nearly 30 have cut PhD admissions this year

If you hear of other places you can add them to this google doc:

🚨BREAKING: Federal Court GRANTS sweeping nationwide injunction against Trump DEI executive orders finding that they violate First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution. A huge victory for @democracyforward.org and its clients. A stinging loss for Trump.

Visit www.democracydocket.com for details.

This 👇
When will university presidents begin to speak out as a large national coalition?

The University of Pittsburgh pauses its Ph.D. admissions process amid research funding uncertainty A spokesperson for the University told WESA Friday that the school has "temporarily paused additional Ph.D. offers of admission," while Pitt works to understand how proposed federal funding cuts could...

The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Friday that there would be no new Ph.D. offers of admission while Pitt works to understand how reduced federal aid could impact the institution.

Protect the Department of Education ⭑ 5 Calls The Trump administration is working to fulfill a campaign promise to abolish the Department of Education. Details are being finalized for an executive …

Call your senators and representatives today to save the Department of Ed and IDEA!

University students, faculty protest cuts to higher education research - The Temple News Philadelphia’s higher education community rallied at U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick’s Philadelphia office to protest cuts to academic and scientific research.

We need more of this!

DOGE's death blow to education studies Researchers say students and schools will suffer without vital data

Cuts in education research will make it hard for teachers, parents, the public to know what works in classrooms & to have reliable measures of student results.
hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

Show America where their money is REALLY going.

I talked with more than 20 researchers, most of whom asked me to keep their identity anonymous for fear of retribution from the Trump administration. Some only communicated with me through encrypted channels and refused to email or talk by phone.

This paragraph says a lot about the state of education research on this Presidents' Day. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

U.S. Department of Education Cuts Over $600 Million in Divisive Teacher Training Grants The U.S. Department of Education today announced it has terminated over $600 million in grants to institutions and nonprofits that were using taxpayer funds to train teachers and education agencies on...

Additional Teacher Training grants cut from DOE...

Trump Tracker: Firings, lawsuits and U.S. science in chaos Follow President Donald Trump’s impact on U.S. research and science globally

This Trump tracker is another way to keep up with the latest news on the calamity occurring in our government.