Join us to explore innovations in the evolving landscape of special education. Drawing insights from our recent special report, we’ll discuss the latest research and data on early interventions, AI in education, specialized teacher training, and other critical topics that impact students with disabilities. Participants will be well-equipped to improve their methods, better support students with disabilities, and drive positive changes in their schools and districts.
This forum is an invaluable opportunity for professional growth and collaboration. You will learn from a diverse panel of experts, including seasoned educators, technology specialists, and policy advocates, who will share their knowledge and experiences in special education. You will leave with actionable ideas and strategies that can be immediately implemented to enhance educational outcomes—from effective early identification and intervention techniques to leveraging AI tools for administrative tasks and lesson planning.
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Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome & Introduction
We’ll highlight key insights from recent reporting on special education.
Daniela Franco Brown is an Assistant Managing Editor for race, opportunity and equity.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: Early Interventions: What Works
Identifying and beginning interventions for students with disabilities in the toddler years can make a huge difference in their school readiness and success. This interactive session will look at differences in state rules for early identification and effective ways districts can partner to get kids on track years before school.
Sarah D. Sparks covers education research, data, and the science of learning for Education Week.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: For Every Reader - How Digital Books Support Learners with Disabilities
In today’s incredibly diverse world, students deserve the most inclusive possible learning environment that educators can create. But what does this mean in practice? For one, it means offering learning accommodations that can help meet kids’ unique reading needs – which is where ebooks and audiobooks prove invaluable. In this session, led by digital reading expert Morgan Britt, find out how ebooks and audiobooks accessed through platforms like the Sora student reading app improve accessibility for students with disabilities. You’ll learn about unique-to-digital formats and tools like read-alongs, audiobooks, adjustable reading settings and more that can help you reach readers at all levels and spark a lifelong love of books.
Morgan Britt
Specialist,
Sora, by OverDrive
Morgan earned their M.Ed. at Virginia Commonwealth University, then spent several years teaching elementary school in Virginia and Ohio before joining the Sora team. Their special passion is helping educators find existing resources to meet the needs of a modern classroom. Morgan loves getting to help so many educators and students access great books that will spark a lifelong reader!
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: The Benefits and Risks of AI Tools in Special Education
Educators who work with students in special education can use artificial intelligence-powered tools like ChatGPT and Magic School AI to help with lesson planning, writing goals for individualized education plans, crafting parent emails, and more. While using AI tools can free up valuable time, allowing teachers to interact with students, there are plenty of caveats when it comes to privacy, bias, and inaccuracy. Hear from education and experts about how to make the potential benefits and possible pitfalls of using AI tools to support students in special education.
Alyson Klein is an assistant editor for Education Week.
Tara Bachmann
Assistive Technology Facilitator,
Park Hill School District (MO)
Tara Bachmann has accumulated 28 years of experience in the field of special education. For the past 10 years, she has held a full-time position as the assistive technology facilitator at the Park Hill School District, focusing on assistive technology. Her previous roles include serving as a special education teacher for grades K-12 in both self-contained and resource settings, as well as working as process coordinator for 5 years and diagnostic coordinator for another 5 years. Tara has presented at national conferences, such as Closing the Gap and ATiA. In addition, she currently holds the position of vice president on the board of Sophie’s Run, a non-profit organization that provides assistive technology to individuals within the Park Hill School District and surrounding areas.
Lindsay Jones
Chief Executive Officer,
CAST
Lindsay E. Jones works with innovative educators and researchers across the globe to design education systems that are learner-centered, flexible, accessible, and rooted in Universal Design for Learning. Lindsay leads strategy and implementation at CAST to ensure all of CAST’s work removes barriers, fosters belonging, and creates equitable education opportunities for every learner.
Amanda Morin
Educational and Neurodiversity Consultant and Author
Amanda Morin is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, an award-winning author of five books, early childhood specialist, and nationally known speaker, deeply committed to fostering accessible and inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. She leverages her expertise in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health to distill complex data into easily digestible information for parents, educators, and employers who want to advance the mission of creating inclusive content, programs, and strategies to make the world accessible to all.
Julie Tarasi
Assistive Technology Facilitator,
Park Hill School District (MO)
Julie Tarasi is a special educator with 10+ years’ experience in both self-contained and inclusion settings, supporting learners of varied abilities in grades 3-8. In addition to earning a Master’s degree in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University and completing IBM’s AI for Educators certificate/credential, Julie has facilitated district-wide professional development sessions regarding AI implementation to support instruction and administrative tasks. Julie recognizes that successful integration of technology can maximize student learning through equitable access and allow teachers to more effectively focus on what they do best.
3:15pm ET
Interview: Boosting Teacher Training for English Learners with Disabilities
One of the complicating factors English learners with disabilities face when it comes to accessing quality education is a dearth of teacher training and preparation that specifically addresses the needs of these students. Learn more about what such training should entail and some efforts to expand access to this kind of teacher prep.
Ileana Najarro is a reporter for Education Week covering race and opportunity in schools across the country.
Lizdelia Piñón
Education Associate,
Intercultural Development Research Association
Lizdelia Piñón has more than 20 years of experience in bilingual and ESL education in both K-12 as well as higher education. She has worked as a bilingual/ESL teacher, university instructor and graduate research assistant in education. Her areas of expertise include bilingual education, ESL (both K-12 and adult learning) programs and educational implementations. Growing up in Chicago, she attended as a student one of the first dual language programs from prekindergarten through eighth grade.
3:45pm ET
Interactive Session: Transition Planning: What’s Working?
Schools need to start planning early to cope with rising needs and expectations for older students with disabilities and their families. This interactive session will look at changing approaches to helping students successfully transition from high school to postsecondary education and the workforce.
Sarah D. Sparks covers education research, data, and the science of learning for Education Week.
3:55pm ET
Closing Thoughts
Hear the big takeaways from this forum.
Daniela Franco Brown is an Assistant Managing Editor for race, opportunity and equity.
