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Be Part of Something Bigger in Special Education!
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Each week, we’re spotlighting what’s ahead as we gear up for the launch of our professional networks.
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Special education leadership is challenging work—but you don’t have to do it alone. The AESA Special Education Director Network is here to connect ESA special education leaders from across the country so we can share ideas, solve problems, and strengthen services together.
Members of the network:
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Learn what’s new – Keep up with changes and fresh ideas in special education from across the country.
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Work together on solutions – Team up with other leaders to tackle real challenges ESAs and schools face.
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Get helpful tools – Find ready-to-use resources, models, and strategies that make your work easier and stronger.
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Meet peers nationwide – Connect with other special education leaders to share ideas and build lasting relationships.
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Meet the Facilitator: Debbie Chisnell
Debbie brings extensive special education leadership experience, supporting students with diverse needs across multiple roles. She is passionate about connecting leaders, sharing effective strategies, and helping ESAs enhance services for students nationwide.
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2025-26 Virtual Meeting Dates (2:00-3:30 pm ET):
- September 9, 2025 (Just 2 weeks from today!!)
- November 11, 2025
- February 10, 2026
- April 21, 2026
Pricing:
- Annual Individual Membership: $299
Register today and invite your colleagues to join you!
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Federal Agencies Release Joint Workforce Plan
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The U.S. Departments of Education, Labor (DOL), and Commerce released a joint plan earlier this month for workforce development, titled “America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age.” The plan aims to reshape the current workforce system and is based on five “strategic pillars:" 1) industry-driven strategies, 2) worker mobility, 3) integrated systems, 4) accountability, and 5) flexibility and innovation. Read more here.
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Student Upward Mobility Initiative 2025 Request for Proposals Now Open
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The Urban Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the Student Upward Mobility Initiative’s (SUMI) 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP). SUMI seeks bold, innovative R&D that identifies and measures the skills and competencies in late high school (grades 11–12) that drive economic mobility and the ways in which skill development and access to opportunity in early high school and middle school shape those trajectories.
This RFP builds on their first round and moves them closer to their long-term vision: equipping education policymakers and practitioners with a short list of key skill-based, easily measured mobility drivers that can be used for educational systems and structures that drive students’ upward mobility.
They expect to award $3 million in grants, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, for projects lasting up to 24 months. They especially welcome proposals that use novel data sources and creative study designs to push the boundaries of what we know about the drivers of mobility and how we can measure them.
Key dates:
- Informational webinars: September 3 or September 9.
- Optional one-paragraph idea submission for early feedback: by Friday, September 19
- Mandatory letter of inquiry due: Friday, October 10 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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Campaign: Keep Fighting for Education Funding
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SchoolSafety.gov Launches 2025 Back-to-School Campaign
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SchoolSafety.gov has launched its 2025 Back-to-School Campaign to help K–12 schools and districts prepare for a safe year ahead. This year’s campaign focuses on prevention—actions schools can take to deter threats and build safer learning environments.
New resources include:
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Back-to-School Tip Sheet – Eight prevention strategies to strengthen school safety.
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Back-to-School Reading List – Ten prevention-focused resources covering topics such as threat assessment, bullying prevention, emergency planning, and youth substance use.
A Communications Toolkit is also available with sample materials and social media content to promote school safety.
Learn more and access resources: schoolsafety.gov/back-to-school-campaign
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This Week: Back-to-School Safety Preparedness Training Provided by CISA
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Join the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for a virtual training on Thursday, August 28, 3:00–4:00 pm EDT. The session will focus on strengthening K–12 emergency preparedness and crisis response, including reunification planning, staff and student training, and actionable tools to support age-appropriate preparedness throughout the school year.
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Judge Rules Against Trump Administration's Plan to End DEI Efforts
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A federal judge struck down two Trump-era actions targeting DEI programs in schools and universities, ruling that the U.S. Department of Education broke the law when it threatened to withhold federal funding from institutions that maintained such initiatives.
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Federal Judge Stands by Order Requiring OCR be Restored
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A federal judge reaffirmed his June ruling requiring the U.S. Department of Education to restore the Office for Civil Rights to its prior status so it can fulfill its legal duties, and the department has appealed the decision to the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals.
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As Support for Schools Plummets, Americans Resist Closing Education Department
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The latest PDK poll found Americans’ confidence in public schools at an all-time low, with only 13% grading them an “A” or “B,” yet two-thirds still oppose eliminating USED, saying it would harm students.
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What Happened When States Dropped Teacher Licensing Requirements
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Two new studies from CALDER found that states’ emergency teacher certification processes during the pandemic did not lead to many new teachers entering the procession, and their impact on teaching quality and student outcomes was mixed.
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Celebrating National Dog Day with Archie: An ESA Emotional Support Specialist
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Today is National Dog Day! Archie is an emotional support specialist at the Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative in Arkansas. He provides comfort and joy to educators in his region by visiting professional learning sessions and visiting schools. His handler, Bethany Hill, created a system with Archie at the center that helps schools add working dogs to their campuses. You can follow Archie’s adventures on Instagram @archibald_ford.
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Inspiring Voices: The Leaders in Education Podcast
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The Leaders in Education Podcast from Char-Em ISD amplifies the voices of educators and experts across northern Michigan. Each episode features respected leaders sharing insights, practical advice, and stories that matter to today’s schools. Designed to spark engagement, the podcast connects educators, board members, and community partners in meaningful conversations that strengthen education across the region.
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Collaborative Partner News
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The primary focus of this month's update is on the launch of Season 8 of the CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel Webinar Series.
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Correspondence Address:
PO Box 404, Cheshire, CT 06410
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Remittance Address:
Department 3990, PO Box 986500, Boston, MA 02298-6500
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