Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast
Disability rights is described as the next frontier in civil rights, with education seen as key to building an inclusive society and ensuring equal opportunity for all students. Hosted by special education and civil rights attorneys Amanda Selogie and Vickie Brett, the podcast offers a smart perspective on making educational systems and communities inclusive. Each week, the hosts discuss topics such as education reform, advocating for equal rights, and modern activism. The show also provides resources to help families navigate the educational playing field.
Episodes
When Is It Time for an FBA? Understanding Behavior, Data, and Support with Dr. Desiree
When a child is struggling with behaviors at school, how do you know when it’s time to take a closer look at what’s really going on? And if a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) could help identify what’s behind those behaviors, how long should a team wait before moving forward? Today, we’re welcoming Dr. Desiree back for a candid conversation about FBAs, behavior intervention plans, data collect
Executive Functioning: Helping Kids Manage Time, Tasks, and Emotions with Mary McDirmid
As the school year is off and running, we get the sense that everyone feels the pressure of juggling many moving parts. Our executive functioning skills are being put to the test, which makes today’s conversation extremely relevant. We are discussing all things executive functioning, including what these skills are and how we use them to complete tasks, manage emotions, and fulfill our obligations
AI Is Here to Stay: What Parents & Teachers Need to Know with Jonathan Strecker
With the start of a new school year, everyone involved in education feels a varying degree of anxiety and uncertainty. Today’s topic, the influence of AI in education, is relevant to everyone: parents, teachers, and students. AI has come to the forefront in recent years, along with debate about the pros and cons of screen time. An expert joins us today to explain how AI is changing the way childre
We Need to Demand Better For Our Kids! with Jennifer Coco
The school year is in full swing for most of the country. We want to remind you about your required 30-day transition IEP meeting if your child has transitioned to a new school or new program. If you haven’t been offered this meeting, request it now for a check-in. Even without a transition, you can still request this meeting to get updates on your child’s progress. Don’t delay! Now is the time! T
When Your Special Needs Child Grows Up: Planning for “What’s Next?” with Mary McDirmid
We spent much of the last school year discussing the changes in education and the uncertainty surrounding the federal Department of Education. Beyond the policy debates and headlines are real families trying to navigate very real questions about their children’s futures. For families of children with special needs, those questions can feel especially overwhelming: What happens after high school? H
Back to School, Back to Action
Welcome back, everyone! It’s back-to-school season across the country, and we are cautiously optimistic about this upcoming year. The sky has not fallen, and there is still work for us to do to effect change in the world of education. We are still here in the thick of the fight, ready for another school year. As always, we will continue to feature guests and informative conversations focused on fu
Our Best Approach to Education is “Outside-the-Box” Thinking
We are officially here at the last episode before we take a summer break. We will return with new episodes in August. This last school year was one in which we felt the negative shift in our education system, but all hope is not lost. Our focus today is on how we can best prepare for the upcoming school year. We have a great responsibility! Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Problems as a resul
A Parent’s Guide to Transition IEP Meetings
Transition IEP meetings are essential when your child transitions from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to college/vocational school. If you haven’t had a transition IEP meeting for the end of this school year, you can still get one scheduled as soon as the new school year begins. We are breaking it down in today’s episode. Join us!Show Highlights:What the
The Reading Brain: Understanding Structured Literacy with Tara Giddings
Crazy time is here! Schools across the country have a LOT happening in these final days of the school year. For parents, there is a sense of relief, along with the panic of realizing that summer is about to begin and that they need to plan what their kids will do. Having a structured literacy plan is key, but it doesn’t have to be complex. Don’t be confused by the plethora of reading programs that
369: The Power of Real Inclusion with Andrew Goff, Ed.D.
Welcome to the final weeks of the school year. Across the country, school districts are winding down to summer break from now through mid-June. It is a busy time for everyone involved in education. Today’s episode explores the power of inclusion, particularly when policies don’t always align with what best serves our students. We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Goff back to the show for his unique
IEP Meetings & Beyond: Advocate for Services, Placement & Success
What is an IEP? What does it mean for your child? How do IEPs and IEP meetings differ across school districts? What is my recourse if the teacher who relates best to my child is moved to another school? We’re answering these questions and more in today’s solo episode with Vickie and Amanda!Show Highlights:The IEP outlines services, accommodations, and placements, but does not guarantee specific pe
Don’t Wait: The Critical Window for TK & Kindergarten IEPs (And Why Early Intervention Matters)
As the school year winds down, this is a critical window for families and educators. If there’s anything you’ve been meaning to put in motion before summer, now is the time to act. Planning ahead is essential, and school districts often operate on fixed timelines, leaving limited flexibility for scheduling assessments and services. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the challenges many families
Analyzing School Non-Attendance Data: Where Do We Go From Here? with Dr. Dennis Lefevre
We are back with the second part of our conversation with Dr. Dennis. Our previous episode covered the escalating attendance crisis and how we can address it with new evaluations and data-collection tools. We are excited 
Exploring the School Attendance Crisis: School Refusal or Truancy?
Whether you’re ready for Spring Break or still have a few weeks until Spring Break, the reality is that there isn’t much of the school year left. There are many assessments and IEP meetings that need to be scheduled now. In today’s episode, we are talking with a wonderful guest, really getting into the trenches of evaluations and the escalating attendance crisis of the last few years. Join us to l
Beyond Dysregulation: How FBAs and BIPs Can Support Your Child
It’s already March, and we are quickly approaching Spring Break season when different school districts have those breaks scattered over the next 4-6 weeks. Seeing a flare-up in behavior problems is not unusual during this time. There are highly severe sensory and emotional dysregulations happening with many students, and our goal should not be punishment. We need to appropriately address these beh
The Time is NOW: Be Proactive in Scheduling End-of-Year Meetings
We are entering the crazy season when Spring Breaks will be happening all over the country during March and April. This is a friendly reminder to be proactive in scheduling any meetings, tours, tests, and assessments that you would like to have completed before the end of the school year. The year will be winding down before we know it! We don’t want to see more students fall behind by multiple gr
Better Behavior Solutions: Brain Breaks, Connection, and Rhythm
In our final episode of 2025, we spoke with Dr. Doug Bolton about innovative solutions for students experiencing dysregulation. We received a lot of feedback on that episode and had already planned a follow-up episode about the shift in perspective we are seeing in student behavior. We are thrilled to welcome him back to learn from him about student behavior and regulation. Join us for another con
Shifts are Happening: Pay Attention!
2026 has already had an interesting start, with numerous changes to education, particularly here in California. We urge you to check with your state representatives to see what’s happening in your state amid the chaos and confusion of the current state of US education. Your voice needs to be heard! We want this solo episode to focus on the trends we are seeing right now and how parents can be proa
Trauma-Informed IEPs: When Behavior Signals More with Dr. Desirie Sykes
Happy New Year! We can’t believe it’s already 2026. We made it through the holidays, which can be a particularly challenging time for many students. Our last episode of 2025 covered the topics of misbehavior and dysregulation, and we continue in that direction with today’s guest. Join us to learn more!Dr. Desirie Sykes is a speaker, leader, advocate, author, and CEO. She is the founder of NESS B
A New Look at Misbehavior: Creating Upstream Solutions for Dysregulated Students with Dr. Doug Bolton
This episode will be the final one of 2025, as we take a break from the podcast over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Before we introduce today’s topic and guest, we want to address the “elephant in the room”: the shifts happening in the Department of Education under the Trump administration. Just a heads-up: following us on Instagram is the best way to stay up to date on current happening
The Current State of DEI in the US: What is Worth Fighting For?
With so many school holidays fast approaching, there are many kids who need interventions right now, and their parents are panicking. Furthermore, the effects of the government shutdown are being felt as Head Start programs are having to close their doors. Families are scrambling, and we are witnessing significant shifts that are having a profound impact on our kids. Today’s guest shares her persp
How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It) with Lindsey Cormack
Today’s topic is one that not many people are talking about, but it’s a big problem in our country. We are discussing the deficit in our children’s education about civics, government, and basic politics. As parents and educators, we have a huge responsibility to do better, and today’s guest is taking on the challenge. Join us to learn more!Lindsey Cormack is a professor of political science at Ste
A Look at CA Assembly Bill 461 and a New, Much-Needed Approach to Truancy
Typically, October is a busy month for us as we are already a couple of months into the new school year; reality has set in, and winter/holiday breaks are fast approaching. Today’s focus comes from a lively topic of discussion that was posted on our Instagram last week: an update on CA Assembly Bill 461, which repeals a 2011 Truancy Law. That law provided for criminal misdemeanor charges, fines, a
What Do Our Kids Really Need? Moving Forward with the “Next Great Iteration” of our Educational System with Dr. Annalies Corbin
We’ve become accustomed to the normal back-to-school craziness this time of year, but this year seems more chaotic than usual! Numerous lawsuits are being filed to challenge the funding cuts, which are having a significant impact on programs, services, staffing, and students. There are numerous unknowns that contribute to the turmoil. We are doing our best to keep our listeners informed as much as
Virginia District Funding Cuts Jeopardize Education For All
Here we are, on the front lines of the fight for inclusive education. Now, a month or so into the new school year, we are already in the thick of the fight, and we are seeing numerous lawsuits being filed as things are changing daily. Many of our listeners are already feeling the impact of funding cuts to education. Today’s episode focuses on the actions of the US Department of Education at the be
Racial and Cultural Responsiveness and Accountability in Education with Jebeh Edmunds
Our goal is always to keep people informed about what’s going on in today’s world that directly affects the education of our students. It is essential to consider the communities that are forming within the broader context of the current political climate. How are conversations being navigated around important topics like race and culture? Today’s guest has valuable insights to share! Join us!Jebe
The Ripple Effect of Losing $65 Million in Federal Education Support with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez
We are in the middle of the start of another school year across the country, whether your students have already returned or have a later start date. One of the most important events from last school year was the Supreme Court decision to withhold $65M in federal funding for education, and we are seeing those impacts across the board. Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez is here to unpack the decision and the
Finding Balance in the “Least Restrictive Environments” for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students with Jennifer Catalano
Welcome back to the podcast as we kick off a new school year! We are excited, as always, to jump into some very important topics in the coming weeks. First up is our amazing guest, Jennifer Catalano, to discuss her work in deaf education and share her perspective on the least restrictive environments for these students. Is it better to have 100% inclusion or 100% special instruction? Let’s learn m
350: The Current State of Affairs in US Education: Our Appearance on Dr. Karen Wilson’s Podcast
This is our last episode before our much-needed summer break. Taking this break helps us to refocus and prepare for a new school year. We recently made another appearance on the Diverse Thinking Different Learning: A ChildNEXUS podcast with Dr. Karen Wilson, who has also joined us on our podcast before. Today, we are featuring that episode as an overview of what’s been happening, and continuing to
Clearing Up Confusion About 504 Plans with April Rehrig
The landscape of American education has undergone significant changes over the past few months, particularly in the realm of special education. Our diligence in staying informed about developments in our field is more important than ever as we approach the start of a new school year in just a few weeks. Our focus today centers on understanding 504s with our guest, April. Join us to learn more!Apri
Digging into DEI Success for Students with Tracy Baynes, Part 2
Today’s episode brings back Tracy Baynes to share her best tips and advice for getting your student involved in their education earlier rather than later. She gives practical steps middle school students can take to prepare for college success, even if they are low-income students. Join us to learn more!Tracy Baynes is the founder, president, and CEO of STEP, the Student Expedition Program. As an
Digging into DEI Success for Students with Tracy Baynes
We continue our journey to view the education of our children holistically as we strive to develop them into productive and inclusive members of society. Tracy Baynes joins us to share her interesting work in helping students achieve unimaginable success.Tracy Baynes is the founder, president, and CEO of STEP, the Student Expedition Program. As an instructor in the oceanography field, Tracy notice
A One-Size-Fits-All Approach Does Not Work with Dr. OiYan Poon
Today’s conversation covers the impact of recent executive orders on DEI, the historical context of the civil rights movements, and the importance of local community efforts. Our guest is Dr. OiYan Poon, a community-engaged research scholar, educator, storyteller, and leader for intersectional racial equity. Her research is focused on the racial politics of Asian Americans, and her book is titled
Innovative Learning with the Modern Classrooms Project with Robert Barnett
Today’s episode features a fascinating conversation about strategies to support students and schools during unknowns and big transitions in education in the US. We welcome Robert Barnett to the podcast to discuss his innovations in teaching math and how his nonprofit, The Modern Classrooms Project, is training teachers to teach differently. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Robert’s background
Fostering Independence and Community: A Look at Jonathan’s Landing Foundation
Many parents of kids with disabilities share the same fear of what will happen to their child in adulthood and when they are no longer here to care for and advocate for them. Today’s guest is Kimberly McCarten, CEO of Jonathan’s Landing Foundation, in Orlando, FL. This remarkable organization is bringing innovation into how we service people in the adult transition by providing a bridge to communi
Inclusivity and Equity in the Classroom with Dr. Emily Affolter
We love to offer solutions along with our discussions of the current problems in education today. Today’s fresh perspective comes from Dr. Emily Affolter, the director of the Sustainability Education Ph.D. at Prescott College. The focus of this program is on the nexus of social and environmental justice as enacted in teaching, learning, and leading. Emily’s interest is in culturally responsive tea
The “Dear Colleague” Letter and Recent Executive Orders
One of the benefits of hosting a podcast in our field of civil rights and special education is that we can do quick follow-ups to incidents as they happen. If you follow us on social media, you know we cover many topics there, and we utilize the podcast for more in-depth conversations about relevant happenings in our field. One such recent event is the "Dear Colleague" letter of 2/14/25 sent out b
Connection, Vulnerability, Empathy, Advocacy, and “Healthy Mental Health” with Mike Robbins
We are still in the early months of 2025, and there is a LOT happening in the state of California and across the country. There are many important conversations we need to have, and our guest, Mike Robbins, joins us to discuss the current state of affairs. We have concerns about what’s happening with DEI and special education, but we want to keep things in perspective and learn how we can find com
Understanding ICE and Immigration Issues in 2025
There is SO much going on in our country right now, and we are faced with many unknowns about what’s coming next. We don't want to be part of the “noise,” but we want to give you accurate information about relevant topics. Today’s focus is on ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, particularly in schools. Our guest is Victoria Lucero, an immigration attorney, and returning guest from a few year
Workable Solutions to Combat Teacher Burnout with Karen Foley
Teachers are our “boots on the ground” partners for all we want to accomplish in education. There are real mental health challenges all around us, and teachers need our support more than ever. Nothing will impact a child’s learning like a great teacher–and the reverse is also true, unfortunately. Join us as we explore this important topic!Karen Foley is the president and CEO of The Juvenile Protec
Helping Students Learn Executive Functioning Skills with Dr. Tara Williams
Executive functioning is more than a catchy buzzword phrase in the world of education. What does it mean, how can we understand it better, and how can we do a better job of helping students? Join us as we explore this topic in today’s episode!Dr. Tara Williams is the owner and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants, which assists students with learning difficulties via a personalized plan ba
Advocacy, Equity, Inclusion for Even the Most Marginalized with Patrick Jones
Grassroots efforts usually work to bring about change. Unfortunately, our political leaders don’t look closely at education, disability rights, and reform in the same way we discuss these topics here in this space. Our goal is always to spur more conversations about education, disability rights, civil rights, and support for marginalized communities. Patrick Jones, aka “Mr. JonesX,” joins us for t
Building a Classroom Community of Confident Writers with Rob Sanders
Believe it or not, October is over. It was a busy month for IEP meetings, and the holiday rush is about to begin. In today’s episode, we want to give helpful insights about community building in a classroom through a simple, actionable technique; this conversation will benefit teachers, parents, and administrators–anyone who wants to foster confidence and community in kids. We are joined by R
Education is in Peril with the Implications of Project 2025
Today’s episode includes a look into the controversial Project 2025 plan, a 900-page roadmap created by far-right think tanks, like The Heritage Foundation. With the elections looming, we are giving our perspectives on some of the alarming implications of this proposal, particularly its potential to dismantle essential educational protections, erase civil rights language, and threaten public educa
The Changing Face of College Admissions and Equity with Emily Chase Coleman
In today’s episode, Vickie and Amanda discuss the evolving landscape of college admissions with Emily Chase Coleman, CEO of HAI Analytics. They explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on admissions, highlighting the shift away from standardized testing and the importance of considering diverse factors in admissions decisions. Emily shares insights on the challenges faced by students from diffe
The US Supreme Court, Affirmative Action, and the Future of Education
Today’s episode focuses on a Supreme Court case in favor of eliminating affirmativeaction, which has huge implications in the world of education. In reality, what theSupreme Court does and how they make decisions stems from who the justices are.With every decision, we should evaluate if it aligns with what we believe and what isbest for our country. The upcoming election is a pivotal time because
Leading with Empathy in an Inclusive Classroom Environment with Dr. Jessica Werner
Today’s focus is on accommodating children in the general education classroom to provide a truly inclusive environment. It’s vital for all of us involved in education to understand the WHY of these accommodations with an emphasis on empathy. Join us for a closer look.Dr. Jessica Werner is the founder of Northshore Learning, a team of consultants based in Minneapolis. They support schools, parents,
Teaching Inclusion, Acceptance, and Responsibility Through Character Development with Kristin Woodward-Vaassen and Icle Freeland
Teaching Inclusion, Acceptance, and Responsibility Through Character Development with Kristin Woodward-Vaassen and Icle FreelandCharacter education can happen in many forms. Today’s episode highlights a unique program that is fun, effective, and quickly growing in popularity. What child doesn’t love taking care of a pet? Join us to hear more from our two guests.Kristin Woodward-Vaassen found
Teaching the Teachers: Strategies for Inclusive Education with Andrew Goff
Most of the country is off and running into another school year, and it’s a great time to reflect on where we can improve and how we can be more knowledgeable in supporting students and addressing their needs. This episode focuses on training for school staff, district staff, and parents. Today, we share part two of our interview with Andrew Goff. Part one aired at the end of the last school year
ENCORE: Live from the BOOST Conference!
Today’s episode is a replay of our session at the BOOST Conference from a few months ago. It relates specifically to next week’s conversation, which is the reason we want to air it again. This episode was also featured as an encore episode over the summer. Enjoy!We loved having the opportunity to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The
The Benefits of Instructional Audio Systems for Inclusive Classrooms with Dr. Stephanie Meyer
Last week’s episode was about central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) and its impacts on a student’s ability to learn. For this episode, we are excited to welcome Dr. Stephanie Meyer to the show. She is an audiologist in the Rio Rancho public schools who will share her perspective about how instructional audio can be more inclusive. Her career as an audiologist in public school systems spans a
Digging Deeper into Central Auditory Processing Disorder
Today’s show expands on our previous episode with Dr. Connie McReynolds in which we discussed central auditory processing deficits in kids with autism or ADHD. Even though many experts would argue that this is a medical disorder, it has profound impacts on education and certainly qualifies as an area of unique need for many children. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Common pushbacks from scho
Solving the ADHD Riddle with Dr. Connie McReynolds
It’s the beginning of another school year, and we are coming to you with many informative episodes to prepare and support you in whatever challenges this new school year may bring. Today’s episode focuses on a better way to assess, intervene, and support kids with ADHD by identifying and addressing the root causes. We welcome today’s guest, Dr. Connie McReynolds, a licensed psychologist and C
A Big-Picture View of Special Education Litigation with Tim Adams
Welcome! Today’s episode takes a big-picture view of what’s going on in education with our taxpayer dollars and how we can educate more parents about their general rights in advocating for their children. We use a recent California case as an example of how things can go so wrong–and cost millions of dollars–in special education law. Tim Adams has been in law practice for over 23 years after
ENCORE: Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset with Michael Hingson
We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed. Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work!Michael Hingson has a unique story. With a master’s de
ENCORE: Three Steps to Plan Now for the Future of Your Disabled Child with James Lange
We're happy to bring you some of our listener favorites during the next few weeks. These episodes are sure to pique your interest by featuring topics important to each of us Enjoy!We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure that families, and people working with these families
ENCORE: LIVE from the Boost Conference
We're happy to bring you some of our listener favorites during the next few weeks. These episodes are sure to pique your interest by featuring topics important to each of us Enjoy!We recently had the chance to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The BOOST Conference is an annual event to inspire youth, learning, and change. Many differ
Proactive Solutions to Students’ Mental Health with Maria Barrera
We are taking a summer break for July to soak up a little summer fun with our families, so we are replaying some of our most popular episodes that are packed with information and inspiration. We will be back in August with new episodes to prepare us for the 2024-2025 school year. Today’s replay first aired a few weeks ago during Mental Health Awareness Month. Maria Barrera helps us understand the
Moving From Diversity to Inclusion (Part 2 with Michael Hingson)
We promised you a Part 2 with Michael Hingson—and here it is! We don’t always get the opportunity to follow up a guest interview with a second part, and that’s why we are thrilled to bring you more of Michael’s inspiring story and his important work in the field of accessibility. Michael first joined us last May for an episode titled, “Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset.” (Click here to
Affirming Neurodiversity in IEPs with Santanna Ficken
Today’s episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community while advocating f
Systemic Ableism in the IEP Process–and How We Can Change with Santanna Ficken
Today’s episode is Part 1 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community while advocating f
The Right Approach to Bullying Prevention with Alain Pelletier
June is here! That means many school districts are on summer break, and many more are in the last week or so of the school year. Wherever June finds you, we are glad you’re with us for this exciting episode.We have mentioned bullying on the show many times, but we’ve never dedicated an episode to it. We welcome Alain Pelletier, a professional youth speaker on the topic of bullying. He has been ful
A Holistic View of Language and Cultural Context (Part 2) with Dr. Alexander Tan
We are honored to visit again with Dr. Alexander Tan to discuss the integrity of evaluations and assessments of English-language learners. This topic aligns perfectly with our goal of helping all parents better understand the IEP process. Are we providing culturally- and linguistically-responsible evaluations? Do parents of different cultural backgrounds understand the numbers and data that we are
Proactive Solutions for Students’ Mental Health with Maria Barrera
It’s a busy, busy time of year as schools are finishing up! We wanted to get this episode in before the end of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Our guest today helps us understand the need for a more comprehensive and relevant curriculum focused on skill-building and emotional awareness instead of reacting to students’ mental health needs “after the fact.” Doesn’t it make more sense to
Live from the BOOST Conference
We recently had the chance to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The BOOST Conference is an annual event to inspire youth, learning, and change. Many different educational professionals attend the conference in Palm Springs, California, to participate in classes, workshops, and networking events, and to explore the latest in technolog
Three Steps to Plan Now for the Future of Your Disabled Child with James Lange
We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure that families, and people working with these families, have all the resources and tools for a well-rounded toolkit for supporting their kids. We welcome James Lange to the podcast to share his practical insights and expertise.James L
Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset with Michael Hingson
We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed. Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work!Michael Hingson has a unique story. With a master’s de
Love Is a Classroom with Andrew Goff
It’s a very busy time of year for everyone involved in IEP meetings, for sure! In today’s episode, we are discussing IEP meetings and the roles of compassionate educators who want to look beyond strict compliance to genuinely meet the needs of students with disabilities and special needs. Join us for the conversation!Andrew Goff taught early childhood special education in five different least rest
A Holistic View of Language and Cultural Context with Dr. Alexander Tan
Today’s episode is Part 2 to our recent solo episode about English language learners. We are focusing on the bigger picture of language as only one part of a child’s entire cultural context affecting performance on all educational and neuropsychological evaluations. Join us to learn more from today’s guest!Dr. Alexander Tan is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and supervisor at Children
The Power of a “Stay-Put” Motion
Are you paying attention to the calendar? As we find ourselves in the last few weeks of the school year, this is your friendly reminder to act fast for the annual transition IEP meetings that should be happening. In today’s episode, we are discussing the power of “stay put” as it applies to keeping things the same in IEP accommodations and services while being in disagreement with a proposed chang
ENCORE: English Language Learners and IEPs
Today's show is a replay of a very popular and informative episode that we hope you'll enjoy.Today’s topic has popped up recently in some of our cases, and it’s an important one to cover because it is under-supported and often overlooked in the IEP world. We are discussing the ELL designation, which stands for “English Language Learner.” Join us to learn when a child should be designated as an ELL
Tackling Brain Health: Amanda and Vickie make a guest appearance on the Neurologics podcast hosted by Karen Odell-Barber
Welcome to a very special episode! Karen Odell-Barber with Neurologics was a recent guest on our show, so we returned the favor by appearing on her podcast, Tackling Brain Health. We are excited to share that episode today. You’ll learn more about our journeys, the origins of our law firm and podcast, and the important work that calls to us on behalf of students and families. Join us!Show Hi
Smooth Transitions for Your Child’s Next School Phase
We are in the season of Spring Break and Easter, which means transition IEP meetings should be happening. If you have procrastinated, it’s not too late! If your child is transitioning from preschool to kindergarten, from sixth grade to middle school, from middle school to high school, or even beyond high school into a vocational program, you’ll learn valuable information in today’s episode. Join u
Amazing Advances in Brain Optimization Technology with Karen Odell-Barber
We are learning more and more all the time about how our brains function and what it means to be neurodiverse. In this episode, we explore cutting-edge technologies in the field of brain optimization, which has huge implications in special education. Join us to learn more!We are joined by Karen Odell-Barber, the founder and CEO of Neurologics, a technology company that does brain mapping and optim
English Language Learners and IEPs
Today’s topic has popped up recently in some of our cases, and it’s an important one to cover because it is under-supported and often overlooked in the IEP world. We are discussing the ELL designation, which stands for “English Language Learner.” Join us to learn when a child should be designated as an ELL, how things should progress from there, and what the school district’s obligations are when
Preparing Your Student for College and Self-Advocacy with Dan Jordan
On our very first episode of 2024, we were joined by Dan Jordan to discuss the transition to college and accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 Plans. Dan joins us for Part 2 to that conversation to educate us on the student’s responsibility. We are taking a close look at the actual steps students need to take as they transition past high school and what we should realistically expect colle
The Return of Cursive Writing with Dr. Christina Bretz
Today’s topic is interesting and timely as California joins 22 other states in requiring public schools to teach cursive writing. This has been a hotly debated issue, and today’s guest has a lot to share about the benefits of cursive writing. Dr. Christina Bretz is an Occupational Therapist from Lexington, KY, who is passionate about how handwriting skills help students across all academic ar
California's Historic $2 Billion Settlement: Addressing COVID Learning Loss
In this episode, we delve into the details of a landmark settlement in California, where a $2 billion fund has been allocated to address the learning loss experienced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This historic agreement, known as the Kala J. settlement, aims not only to recoup the losses suffered by students but also to narrow the opportunity gaps that existed even before the pandemic
Why Change is the Key to Truly Inclusive Education with Lacey Robinson
We are excited to celebrate this 300th episode! It’s been a long time coming! What a great time it is to reflect back on the start of this podcast and why we wanted to have this avenue to start—and change—the conversation about education, civil rights, and disability rights. Today’s guest is the epitome of someone who wants to change the way we approach education, taking how things have “always be
A Parent's Guide to Educational Advocacy with Vickie Brett, ESQ
Today’s episode is a replay of Lynzy Coughlin’s podcast, Motherhood Meets Medicine, where Vickie recently appeared as a recent guest. She provided a lot of helpful information for parents about a 504 plan or when an IEP is in place. You will learn what rights parents have in these cases, along with what a parent can ask and advocate for in their child’s education. Join us!Show Highlights:What led
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