Special Report

Special Education: Adapting to Challenging Realities

May 13, 2024
Student standing in front of a school that's distorted, hinting at changing realities.
Nicole Xu for Education Week
Special education in K-12 schools faces unique challenges and opportunities: A growing mental health crisis. Shifting demographics. Advances in technology. Shortages of qualified educators. Pandemic disruptions.

It is critically important that district leaders continue to rethink and change how schools deliver special education services. This report delves into the strategies and innovative approaches that districts and schools are employing to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities amidst these challenging realities.