Frontline Blog

Every teacher has dealt with students who are more challenging than others: acting out in class, refusing to raise their hand or being disruptive. For a student who doesn’t respond to typical classroom management strategies, a behavior contract might be an appropriate step to take.

Teacher collaboration can have a direct effect on student outcomes. And meaningful collaboration between general and special education teachers is a pillar of supporting students with disabilities. But a recent survey of pre-service teacher candidates in both areas indicates that collaboration across these two very distinct areas continues to cause some concern.  

By 2014-15 the number of children served under IDEA was 6.6 million or 13% of total public school enrollment.  When looking at this data, districts, schools and educators must consider equity in education and the appropriateness of the classification of special needs students in and across states.  

Special education in the U.S. is experiencing a severe teacher shortage. It’s serious enough that some districts and schools are looking outside of the U.S. to recruit specialized teacher candidates.   

Not far from Houston, Texas, Alvin Independent School District is a rapidly growing organization with enrollment increasing by well over 1,000 students annually. New schools are planned and built every year to keep up with projected expansion.

Jim Stovall, International Humanitarian Award recipient and Olympic athlete, once said of teamwork, “You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.”Successful Collaboration

Providing individualized special education services in school is crucial to fulfilling the mission of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). However, in-school services only get you partway to accomplishing IDEA’s goals for students with disabilities.

Some people who previously tested positive for COVID-19 are now showing symptoms like tiredness, fatigue, difficulty thinking, concentrating, headache, changes in smell, taste, dizziness, or fast beating or pounding heart, usually appearing about a month after that initial positive test. This condition is being referred to as “Long COVID.”