How to Use Special Education Compliance Data to Drive Back-to-School Action

Compliance gaps do more than indicate missed deadlines. They reveal deeper issues like service delivery shortfalls, staffing breakdowns, and missed opportunities to support students. As the new school year approaches, many districts are sitting on a powerful asset: their special education data. This information can highlight which students missed services, where IEP timelines slipped, and … Read more

Executive Functioning IEP Goals Examples & Best Practices

When a student has trouble following directions, staying on task, or transitioning between activities, it could point to a deeper need. These everyday challenges are often signs of difficulties with executive functioning, the cognitive processes that help students plan, focus, manage time, and follow through on tasks. Without the right support, these students risk falling … Read more

Speech IEP Goals: Speech Therapy Made Simple

Speech IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals are a key part of a speech-language pathologist’s (SLP) role in schools. These goals support a wide range of needs that shift with age, learning stage, and each child’s unique communication profile. But writing clear and effective goals can be challenging. SLPs often have to determine specific areas of … Read more

IEP Goals for ADHD: SMART Strategies and Examples for K–12 Students

When a student with ADHD struggles to focus, stay organized, or regulate emotions, it can impact not only their academic progress but also the classroom as a whole. Educators want to help, but without a clear plan and measurable goals, even the most dedicated efforts can fall short. That’s where well-crafted ADHD IEP goals come … Read more

Breaking Down Silos: How School Leaders Can Align General Education and Special Education with Co-Teaching Strategies

In many schools, general education and special education still operate in separate worlds, with different teams, meetings, and goals. When these systems stay disconnected, students miss out, and educators feel overwhelmed and unsupported. A recent edWeb webinar, presented by Brandy Samuell, Director of Product for K–12 Services at eLuma, along with education leaders Mike Leddy … Read more

From Confusion to Confidence: How Everyone in Your School Community Plays a Role in Student Services

When the people responsible for a student’s success aren’t working together, it creates chaos. Teachers struggle to balance behavior and academic needs, families feel disconnected from the school, and students slip through the cracks. It’s not just frustrating—it’s damaging.  Schools are already stretched thin, and without a unified effort, everyone becomes overwhelmed. However, when the … Read more

Better Evaluations, Better Outcomes: The Key to Accurate Special Education Eligibility

Special education evaluations shape the future of students who need extra support, yet the process is far from straightforward. A single evaluation can determine whether a child gets life-changing services or continues to struggle without the help they need. The stakes could not be higher. In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the main takeaways … Read more

The 504 Learning Plan and the IEP: A Complete Guide to Supporting Student Success

When students struggle academically, behaviorally, or emotionally, it can be hard to know what kind of help they need. Even when educators, families, and support providers recognize that something is not working, figuring out the next step is not always easy.  With the right guidance and resources, educators and parents can transform these challenges into … Read more

The Ripple Effect of Caregiver Engagement: Transforming Behavior, Academics, and School Communities

What if a critical element to improve student behavior and boost academic success isn’t in the classroom?  Many educators and school administrators face a recurring challenge: behavioral interventions and academic strategies often fall short of their full potential due to a lack of continuity between school and home. While schools provide structured environments and individualized … Read more

From Burnout to Balance: 9 Strategies to Retain Special Education Teachers in Challenging Times

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 86% of public schools reported difficulties hiring teachers, and 83% faced challenges hiring non-teaching staff, such as classroom aides and mental health professionals, for the 2023-24 school year. The challenge to retain exceptional educators—especially in special education—has never been more pressing. We know how difficult it … Read more