Special Education News & Noteworthy is a weekly podcast that breaks down what’s happening in the world of special education—across policy, funding, legal decisions, and community impact. Hosted by Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi, founders of Inclusive Educational Practices, each episode makes national headlines accessible and actionable for parents, educators, advocates, and anyone who cares about inclusive education.
October 30, 2026 | Twice-Exceptional Students, Teacher Shortages & Special Education Funding
This week on Special Education News & Noteworthy, Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi break down five stories highlighting the challenges, policy decisions, and innovative programs shaping special education.
In this episode, we're discussing:
Twice-Exceptional Students (https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/10/15/for-gifted-students-with-disabilities-finding-the-right-school-is-a-challenge/32223/)
Special Education Teacher Shortages (https://www.npr.org/2026/10/26/nx-s1-6000653/special-education-teacher-shortage)
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (https://ctmirror.org/2026/10/27/special-education-equity-kids-conference-fstc/)
Kansas School Funding Cuts (https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kansas/johnson-county/the-impacts-have-been-knocking-at-our-door-blue-valley-cuts-programs-to-make-up-special-education-gap)
A Student-Run Food Truck in Rhode Island (https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/press-releases/view/briana-jones-central-falls-ri)
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Thanks for listening, and Happy Halloween!
26 Oct 2026
IDEA Services for Private-School Students: John Elcesser and Steve Perla on California’s Corrective Action
A new federal decision is requiring the California Department of Education to take statewide corrective action involving IDEA services for children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private schools.
In this special episode of Special Education News & Noteworthy, Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi speak with ADAC Advocacy Executive Director John Elcesser and Board President Steve Perla about the complaints that led to the decision and what the U.S. Department of Education found.
The conversation explores:
What “timely and meaningful consultation” should look like
How RTI and MTSS were reportedly used to delay evaluations
Why accurate child-find data affects IDEA proportionate-share funding
How equitable-services funds are controlled and used
What California must now do to correct the identified problems
What this decision could mean for other states
Learn more about the federal decision and access related materials provided by ADAC Advocacy (https://theadacadvocacy.com/advocacy-impact/)
23 Oct 2026
October 23, 2026 | School Safety, Disability Rights & Special Education Funding
This week on Special Education News & Noteworthy, Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi break down five stories shaping the special education landscape.
In this episode, we're discussing:
School safety and disability stigma (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/live-coverage-teen-shooter-kills-3-children-teacher-oregon-elementary-rcna603846)
Federal disability guidance and transition planning (https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-new-federal-guidance-on-disability-could-impact-k-12-special-education/2026/10)
Potential special education funding cuts in Nebraska (https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/special-education-services-for-nebraskans-with-disabilities-targeted-in-hypothetical-education-department-cuts/)
Corporal punishment and students with disabilities (https://www.kera.org/2026/10/12/thousands-of-kids-still-getting-paddled-corporal-punishment-in-texas-schools-data-shows/)
New York City's billion-dollar special education reimbursement costs (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/12/the-costly-special-education-system-nyc-cant-afford-to-ignore-01114405)
Plus, we share what's waiting for you in this week's free newsletter, including five questions parents can ask to make sure their child's school emergency plan addresses their individual needs.
Subscribe to our free newsletter. (https://www.inclusiveeducationalpractices.com/special-education-news)
Read this week's issue here (https://special-education-news-noteworthy.kit.com/posts/catch-up-on-this-week-s-special-education-news-october-23-2026)
If you enjoy the podcast, please follow the show and leave us a rating and review. Your support helps more parents, educators, and advocates discover Special Education News & Noteworthy.
Thanks for listening!
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