🎙 Episode 001: Understanding IDEA and the Future of Special Education

10/08/2025 11 min
🎙 Episode 001: Understanding IDEA and the Future of Special Education

Listen "🎙 Episode 001: Understanding IDEA and the Future of Special Education"

Episode Synopsis

Special education can feel isolating—especially when you’re expected to have all the answers. In this kickoff episode of Lead SPED Better, we break down what every principal and instructional leader needs to understand about IDEA, how special education law really works, and what’s at stake in the national conversation about the U.S. Department of Education. Whether you’ve inherited a SPED team, are unsure how to support them, or just want to avoid unintentional missteps—you’re in the right place.đź”— Links Mentioned:Register for Unprepared to Unstoppable PD Day: https://thespeducatedleader.kit.com/unpreparedtounstoppable Learn more: thespeducatedleader.comđź§  What You’ll Learn:Why SPED educators often feel unsupported—even in “tight-knit” teamsWhat IDEA actually guarantees (FAPE, LRE, and more)What “appropriate evaluation” means and why IQ isn’t everythingWhy IEPs often fall flat—and how to interpret them with a critical lensHow LRE is misunderstood and misapplied in real schoolsWhat happens if the Department of Ed is dismantled—and who will pay the priceâś… Leadership Next Step:Ask your SPED team this question: "If I could change one thing about how we support your role, what would it be?" Then listen—and act.📣 Want Help?Diana Williams partners with schools across the country to strengthen SPED systems, coach leaders, and train teams to deliver inclusive, legally sound, and high-impact instruction. Ready to support your team with the strategies they actually need?Email: [email protected]: www.thespeducatedleader.com