stay informed. stay empowered.
NEWS & UPDATES
Expert conversations. Timely updates. Practical resources.
The Great IDEA Newsletter brings together what’s happening across special education, Section 504, and the broader education landscape—and helps you make sense of what matters.
Each week, we’ll highlight the stories, research, legal developments, policy changes, and resources worth paying attention to, along with what we’re watching and what we’re working on at Great IDEA Podcast.
Because staying informed isn’t just about knowing what happened.
It’s about understanding why it matters.
-Great IDEA
This Week's IDEA
Thank you for such a great response to the launch!
What We’re Reading Right Now
ASK THE GREAT IDEA PODCAST
Do you have a webinar or podcast idea? Questions about the latest webinar? Specific questions for upcoming guests? Submit your questions below.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Evaluation Series
Eligibility
Part 3: Evaluation Series Eligibilities HI VI MD MDSSI SLI
Part 4: Evaluation Series Eligibilities AU, ID, ED
Part 5: Evaluation Series Eligibilities SLD
Recorded-in editing
Evaluation Series
Bilingual Assessment
A look at considerations and best practices in bilingual psychoeducational assessment.
IEE's Revisited
Evaluation Series
Review of IEEs from the point of the school district, for compliance.
IDEA Foundation Series
Prior Written Notice
A deep-dive into the history and use of PWN, as well as using the PWN as a tool for appropriate placement, services, and progress monitoring.
Recorded-in editing
Upcoming Podcasts
Shiloh
Carter, JD
Senior Litigation Attorney, Disability Rights Texas
Ms. Carter represents students and parents as a parent attorney at Disability Rights Texas.
Elizabeth Angelone, JD
Attorney, Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP
Ms. Angelone is a former parent attorney and currently representing school districts in Texas.
Elisa Lovorn, SSP, NCSP
School psychologist, working overseas.
Elisa has been practicing as a school psychologist for 15 years. She began her career practicing in Texas before working overseas.
Virginia Dubasik, PhD, CCC-SLP
Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Bowling Green State University
Dr. Dubasik is a bilingual Speech/Language Pathologist, associate professor, and well-known researcher in her field.
Bruce Bloom, M.Ed, CRC, CVE, IPEC, CAS
Vocational and Transition Expert, Bloom Consulting
Mr. Bloom is an expert in vocation and transitional evaluation, planning, and implementation. He is the owner of Bloom Consulting.
WHAT WE'RE researching
A continuously updated collection of current research and evidence across the areas that matter to special education, disability, and educational practice.
Select a topic below to explore the research sources behind each collection and see the latest findings from leading peer-reviewed journals and authoritative sources.
Upcoming areas of research:
-Therapeutic practice (i.e. EMDR, trauma-informed, family system)
(Frankly, this is something I’m very proud of and have always wanted to do for my own work 🙂
Topic Areas
PBIS, ABA, DISCIPLINE & BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH
Current peer-reviewed research on positive behavioral supports, school discipline, behavioral assessment, intervention, and behavior-related outcomes in educational settings.
LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Stay current on Supreme Court decisions and developments affecting education, disability rights, and special education. Updated regularly.
DISABILITY RIGHTS & advocacy
Current developments in disability rights, education policy, civil-rights enforcement, and legal challenges.
DYSLEXIA & READING RESEARCH
Research and evidence on dyslexia, reading development, and effective instruction — with attention to study quality, methodology, and what the evidence actually shows.
DISABILITY & DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH
Current research on ADHD, autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, speech and language disorders, neurological conditions, and other disabilities affecting learning and development.
CHILD & ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
Current research on mental health, emotional well-being, assessment, prevention, and treatment among children and adolescents.