Grant Wood Area Education Agency and other Iowa AEAs have issued reports to the Iowa Department of Education to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, focusing on literacy and math using evidence-based practices. The reports, required by a new state law, also detail efforts to reduce administrative costs by 30% by 2026.

Douglas Fuchs, a professor of special education at Vanderbilt University, is poised to challenge the prevailing notion of full inclusion for students with disabilities in general education classrooms. In an upcoming paper in the Journal of Learning Disabilities, Fuchs argues that evidence supporting inclusion is fundamentally flawed, noting that many students with disabilities might benefit more from intensive, specialized instruction in separate settings.

Micah's Mission, founded by Dr. Emily Williams, is a homeschool microschool in Vicksburg, Miss., that serves children with "different abilities," including those with learning disorders and chronic illnesses. The school, rooted in faith, offers a range of activities like yoga, a book club, cooking and field trips to prepare students for life after school.

Penn State Behrend alumna Risa Glick has donated a $2 million estate gift to support students with special needs, funding tools such as an electric wheelchair and special video monitors inspired by her cousin, who has autism. Most of the endowment will be available after her death, though a portion is available now.

The Future of Education Technology Conference is partnering with SmartBrief to reach a broader audience of K-12 educators. The event, set for Jan. 14-17 in Orlando, Fla., will feature a keynote by author Guy Kawasaki, who will discuss fostering a growth mindset and innovation in students.

Five school districts in eastern Seattle, facing budget deficits due to declining enrollment and rising costs, have held a town hall to urge Washington lawmakers to increase school funding. Superintendent Chris Reykdal has proposed a $3 billion boost, including for special education, but the state faces a budget gap.

The Navy has revamped the Exceptional Family Member Program to better match sailors' duty assignments with the specific needs of their special-needs family members. Instead of using broad categories, case managers will now coordinate assignments based on individual requirements. This approach is expected to improve access to health care, education and other services.

Wildfires in Southern California have forced the closure of 335 schools, affecting more than 211,000 students, as educators step up to provide support and shelter. Educators are working to support displaced students and families, even as some have lost their own homes, and are providing emotional support to students affected by the wildfires, recognizing the trauma and uncertainty they face.