Inclusive Education Project Podcast

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 personnel to implement them.A general rule for any concerns about your child’s IEP: Always ask!Getting creative and specific in the IEP, regardless of the teacherAdvice to parents when “that one great teacher” goes elsewhereDebate over different types of interventions (The law says they must be “appropriate.”)Clearing up confusion over expert opinions and evidence-based programsThe most valuable teacher on your team is the one who is willing to try an intervention without becoming combative, defensive, and egotistical.What to do right now for next yearResources:Contact us on social media or through our website for more

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 face in kindergarten and transitional kindergarten classrooms when it comes to getting students evaluated and connected with the support they need. Tune in as we break it down and share what you should know.Show Highlights:The reality of expectations for TK students measured against kindergarten standardsWatch out for the “typical peer” trap.What we are seeing from schoolsAn example to support this question: “Which group of typical peers is my child being compared to?”Does the level of support prove that the child needs services?Understanding the functional component of education (lining up, transitioning to other c

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 to dive deeper into this important subject through Dr. Dennis’ expertise and passion. Join us!Dr. Dennis Lefevre recently served as the Executive Director of Student Support Services in a small, high-performing school district in southern CA. Before that role, he worked in various capacities in public, non-public, and private school settings with thousands 

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 learn more!Dr. Dennis Lefevre recently served as the Executive Director of Student Support Services in a small, high-performing school district in southern CA. Prior to that role, he worked in various capacities in public, non-public, and private school settings with thousands of preschool, elementary, and secondary students. He had a front-row seat to the unfolding attendance crisis and became increasingly frustrated by the lack of ownership among school, home, and community. He is now piloting a new kind of evaluation that is an intensive data collection process designed to lower the threshold enough to get students

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 behaviors that might be outside of the student’s control, especially those that are a result of a disability. Join us for today’s discussion about Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIPs).Show Highlights:The first step in an FBA is to collect data to define and describe the behaviors.Sensory overload, avoidance, and seeking attention are common challenges that cause dysregulated behaviors.Unmet needs have to be understood and met before behaviors can be regulated; this is where a BIP comes in.A BIP can be helpful when “the behavior is affecting a student’s learning or the learnin

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 grade levels simply because assessments haven’t been done in a timely fashion. It’s not just academics that warrant an IEP meeting; social and emotional struggles should be documented and addressed as well. Don’t be afraid to be the “squeaky wheel” when it comes to advocating for your child’s educational services!Show Highlights:When there is a problem, be proactive, not reactive.Don’t be afraid to raise the alarm and raise the questions to get support in place for your child.Transition IEP meetings should be robust and address ALL the student’s needs.Amanda’s tips for IEP meetings for students transitioning to middle

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 conversation with Dr. Bolton!Dr. Doug Bolton is a clinical psychologist who has always been drawn to working with kids who experience behavioral problems. Knowing that being in schools gives him the best vantage point from which to help kids, Doug became a school psychologist and later a principal at a therapeutic school. He is currently a consultant working with families to help vulnerable kids become more resilient. From his unique perspective and extensive experience, he wrote the book Untethered.Show Highlights:Recognizing rhythms to the school year, especially as a new semester beginsThe correlation between mental

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 proactive. One of the biggest problems is the lack of services for the kids who need them most; so many are struggling to learn and function, but they are deemed ineligible for IEPs. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Understanding the federal law and its interpretation of IEP eligibilityDecisions are made in various ways and based on various criteria from state to stateAccommodations and supports are wonderful, but how would that child do without those in place?Being the squeaky wheel has its advantages.What the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) providesDigging deeper into social skills and problem-solving skills can

​​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 Behavior Consulting and NESS Cares, a nonprofit in New York. NESS Behavior Consulting provides resources for mental health and special education, targeting children with a primary diagnosis of autism. Dr. Sykes collaborates with local school districts in the Long Island, NY, area, providing support and services tailored to meet a student’s IEP. Her passion is to enlighten, uplift, and empower, while changing the narrative around mental health and providing accessible resources to those who need them. Show Highlights:Being sensitive and intuitive when behavior signals a deeper mental health issueBridging the gap betwee

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 happenings in our world. Please keep in touch! Today’s topic is behavior and discipline with our guest, Dr. Doug Bolton. Join us!Dr. Doug Bolton is a clinical psychologist who has always been drawn to working with kids who experience behavioral problems. Knowing that being in schools gives him the best vantage point from which to help kids, Doug became a school psychologist and later a principal at a therapeutic school. He is currently a consultant working with families to help vulnerable kids become more resilient. From his unique perspective and wide range of experience, he wrote the book Untethered. Show Highlights:Wh

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 perspective on anti-DEI sentiment and the current state of our country, affecting both education and the corporate world. Nadine Jones is a 2003 graduate of Howard Law School, with a background in antitrust and corporate law as a general counsel. In January of 2025, she left that corporate position to work from home as a consultant. As the mother of a special-needs son, she has insight into what parents in the US face today. Show Highlights:Nadine’s perspective on the most immediate risks to legal compliance in the shutting down of DEI programsAnti-DEI sentiment, which causes major problems for contractors whose

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 Stevens Institute of Technology, a little-known but premier engineering school in Hoboken, NJ. Seeing extremely bright students every day who don’t understand the basics of our government prompted her to write How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It). The guidebook is geared toward parents to help them produce good citizens who are active and knowledgeable participants in our government and politics. Show Highlights:Lindsey’s extensive research and writing processIdentifying the deficit and what can be done about itOur educational plan in civics and government is NOT working.The “We don’t talk about

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, and jail time for parents of chronically truant children or for a student over 18 with chronic truancy. The problem is that the law disproportionately affects low-income students and those with disabilities, some of whom are fighting for the accommodations and support they need. The new law repeals the 2011 law and sets forth a plan for supportive strategies instead of punishments. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:The backfiring of the 2011 law: The first case prosecuted a person of color with a child with sickle-cell anemia while she was trying to get additional accommodations in place.Governor Newsome’s perspec

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 possible. In this episode, we refer back to the Supreme Court decision from earlier this year, in which $65 million in educational funding was cut. Join us to learn more!Dr. Annalies Corbin is the founder and CEO of The PAST Foundation. Her work focuses on educational research and development, aiming to be not only a thought leader but also a thought partner with school districts, states, and the federal government. The overriding question driving Dr. Corbin’s work is, “What do our kids really need?”Show Highlights:A breakdown of the Supreme Court’s decision to withhold $65M in teacher grant fundingInclusion is EVER

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 beginning of August regarding five school districts in northern Virginia. Join us to learn more.Show Highlights:$50 million is being withheld from the states in the form of formula funding, discretionary grants, and impact aid grants.The example of attempted resolutions for trans kids—and the stance of VA school districts who won’t back downThe far-reaching budget impacts of the withholding of this funding The chilling fact: Our children are the ones who suffer the most.Practical results in terms of staffing, programs, hiring, and critical servicesThe legal perspective and ramifications of this decisionLook out fo

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!Jebeh Edmunds is the founder and CEO of Jebeh Cultural Consulting, a firm that helps disseminate multicultural lesson plans for K-12th grade. Part of her essential work also includes providing training sessions on DEI and cultural responsiveness. Jebeh was a classroom teacher for 18 years before she became an entrepreneur. Proud of her heritage, Jebeh is a first-generation Liberian-American who came to the US as a toddler. Show Highlights:Foundational steps to set yourself up as a culturally responsible educatorWe should ALL learn from our mistakes.Watch out for biases.Children are capable of having hard conversatio

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 far-reaching effects. Join us to learn more!Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez is the CEO at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, an organization that is almost 50 years old. Their mission is to serve ALL students, their families, their educators, and their future employers. Dr. Rodriguez has a background steeped in education, from teaching special education at all levels to being an administrator. Her passion for advocacy and equity for all students is the central theme of her work, always focused on a more inclusive and equitable education system. Show Highlights:The story of the $65M earmarked for DEI efforts

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 more from Jennifer’s perspective in today’s episode!Jennifer Catalano is the director of both undergraduate and graduate deaf education programs at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. Her background spans deaf education, elementary education, and special education, making her current role the perfect intersection of her experience and expertise. She loves working with current and future teachers to help them serve deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Show Highlights:Jennifer’s introduction to deaf education began in high school.The recent shift to integrate these students with their peersThe most important factor

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 happen, in the field of special education in the US since the Trump administration took office. Enjoy the conversation!Show Highlights:An overview of the state of affairs right now in US special education, especially regarding the executive order to dismantle the Department of EducationThoughts on the illusion of “giving educational rights back to the states”Miscommunication and misinformation about the role and scope of the Department of EducationA real-life example from San Diego, CA, about a specific grant and its far-reaching impact to studentsParents feel fear and anxiety because of grant-funded programs and ot

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!April Rehrig is a special education advocate who does things differently. Her experiences as a teacher, mother, and school psychologist for 20 years provide her with a wide-ranging perspective on education and a unique approach to advocacy. She is the founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting and has a passion for helping parents and their children navigate the world of special education.Show Highlights:Shift from IEPs to 504s: The biggest problem is insufficient training.The trend of inconsistency in 504sApril’s perspective on the disconnect between IEP teams and 504 teamsA huge increase in the number of stude