DR Policy Newsletter April_KS.docx Division of Research Government Relations and Research Advocacy Newsletter: April 2026 Thank you for your continued engagement in advancing special education research and policy. As federal priorities...

April DR Policy Newsletter

docs.google.com/document/d/1...

New Episode on the Disproportionality series in DiveIn: We chat with Donna Ford about disproportionality in gifted and talented.

divein.alitu.com/1?order=newest

@bsky.app

Congratulations to the 2026 CEC-DR Award Winners! 🎉

We look forward to honoring our award winners for their outstanding contributions to research and leadership in special education. Join us at the CEC-DR Business Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Given her exceptional legacy of advancing research, producing influential scholarship, and nurturing new voices in the field, the CEC-DR recognizing outstanding early career publications will now carry the name of Dr. Lynn Fuchs.

Episode 10 of DiveIn continues our disproportionality series with sociologist Rachel Fish, exploring why racially and linguistically minoritized students are in special education and how structural racism, inequities, and subjective diagnosis shape school experiences divein.alitu.com/episode/da65...

Extended Deadline! Nominate for the CEC Division for Research Distinguished Researcher from Underrepresented Groups Award by Jan 2, 2026. Recognizing impactful special education research.

cecdr.org/awards/disti...

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE CEC-DR TO ENGAGE WITH FAMILIES?

Please help us by completing this survey to let us know!

qualtrics.sacredheart.edu/jfe/form/SV_...

Each year, NCSER and CEC partner for research to practice symposium to discuss how federal research funding impacts local schools. This year’s session is about writing!

Register Here: learn.exceptionalchildren.org/p/NCSER_writ...

Nominations due on Saturday, November 15! ⬇️

ACTION ALERT: Department of Education has nearly wiped out OSERS—offices essential to ensuring students with disabilities receive the services they’re guaranteed under IDEA. Congress must act NOW. Tell lawmakers: Restore OSEP. Protect IDEA. #4SpecialEducation
exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/C...

Join us for our #WordConnections webinar series. We'll explore implementation of this research-based, targeted intervention to support students' reading of complex words! #TosteTeam #BigWords #ScienceOfReading

📅 Nov 13 + Dec 4 | 💻 Live Online
🔗 Register: tosteteam.simpletix.com

Consider nominating a colleague (or yourself) for one of the 2026 CEC-DR Awards! You have two months to think about it. Awards will be presented at the CEC Convention in Salt Lake City, UT in March 2026. Visit our website to learn more about each award: cecdr.org/cec-dr-awards

#4SpecialEducation researchers, educators and trainers- what is one of your favorite aspects of IDEA? @cecmembership.bsky.social @tec-cec.bsky.social @tedearlycareersig.bsky.social @cec-dr.bsky.social share it here with a picture or quote that represents it!

New publication written by CEC-DR Past President (‪@jessicatoste.bsky.social‬) and President-Elect (@jchow.bsky.social). The article is available open access. Click on the thread below! 👇🏼

2025 Virginia CEC Conference Join us for our annual Virginia Council for Exceptional Children Conference! Come learn and connect!Holiday Inn, North Beach3900 Atlantic AvenueVirginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Check out the call for proposal for the Virginia CEC Conference! The conference is November 5-7, 2025 at Old Dominion University. You can submit a proposal and register at this link: virginia.exceptionalchildren.org/events/2025-...

Join many of your CEC-DR friends for the 2026 @aeraedresearch.bsky.social annual meeting in Los Angeles (April 8-12, 2026)! ☀️

The deadline for submissions is July 25.

To learn more and submit, visit: www.aera.net/Events-Meeti...

Join CEC-DR President @jessicatoste.bsky.social for this webinar tomorrow afternoon! 👇🏼

In Memory of Lynn Fuchs Email from CEC Division for Research May 12, 2025 In Memory of Lynn Fuchs The field of special education lost a visionary and beloved leader with the passing of Lynn Fuchs on May 7, 2025. Her absenc

IN MEMORY OF LYNN FUCHS

The field of special education lost a visionary and beloved leader with the passing of Lynn Fuchs on May 7, 2025. Her absence leaves a profound void—not only in our scholarly community, but in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

[ click reading below ]

John Umbreit Doctoral Research Award 2025 Competition Announcement The purpose of this award is to support an outstanding doctoral student to conduct applied behavioral research in their current area of practice. The award honors John Umbreit, who has spent more than 40 years supporting the development of future faculty who are critical thinkers and dedicated to serving children with behavioral challenges. An award of $1,000 will be presented annually at the Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders conference in Tempe, Arizona. Award funds are intended to support applicant research activities and/or to present their findings at professional conferences. To apply for the award, please submit the following: 1. A cover letter describing (a) your research experience in general, (b) your specific experience in applied behavioral research, (c) the purpose of your proposed research and your reason for pursuing this line of inquiry, and (d) your commitment to participating in the annual TECBD conference in Tempe, Arizona in November if you are the award recipient. A research proposal for a specific study or a collection of studies. The proposal is limited to 15 double-spaced pages and must clearly detail the significance, method, and potential impact of the study. A letter of recommendation from your advisor that specifies the potential significance of the proposed work, your ability to conduct the research, and your potential to continue this line of inquiry after graduation. A CV detailing your research, teaching, and service experience. Applications will be reviewed by the JUDRA Committee. The award recipient will be notified in October and honored this November at the annual TECBD conference in Tempe, Arizona. All application materials must be submitted as one PDF to awards@debh.net Please address any questions to awards@debh.net Applications Due August 1, 2025

PHD #4SpecialEducation Students & Mentors-NOMINATE & APPLY for John Umbreit Doctoral Research Award (CEC-DEBH)- Eligible applicants are (a) enrolled in PhD program, (b) engaged in applied research for improved behavior, & (c) have an IRB-approved/process research project email awards@debh.net

CEC-DR joins @CEC-DADD to support and celebrate Autistic people and the autism community. daddcec.com/blog/dadd-st...

CEC and DR webinar. Logos for both Council for Exceptional Children and Divison for Research. "Instruction to support word-level reading skils for students with disabilities in the intermediate grades." Thursday, May 15 from 4:00-5:00pm ET. Free for CEC members.

Webinar presenters. Jessica Toste, PhD, Associate Professor & Distinguished Teaching Professor. Department of Special Education. The University of Texas at Austin. Brennan Chandler, PhD. Assistant Professor. Department of Learning Sciences. Georgia State University. Register at http://tinyurl.com/CEC-WordReading

Join me and @brennanchandler.bsky.social for a webinar on May 15. We'll be talking about word reading instruction for students in intermediate grades and #WordConnections! Webinar hosted by @cecmembership.bsky.social and @cec-dr.bsky.social. Free for members! Register: tinyurl.com/CEC-WordReading

CEC’s division, DADD, has released a statement in response to recent comments made by HHS Secretary Kennedy regarding autism. CEC echoes DADD’s commitment to individuals with autism and the importance of respectful, inclusive, and informed dialogue in all spaces.

daddcec.com/blog/dadd-st...

President of CEC-DR, @jessicatoste.bsky.social, will be leading a webinar on word reading instruction for older students with disabilities on May 15! CEC members can register for free at tinyurl.com/CEC-WordRead...

A colorful flyer for TED’s Graduate Student Committee Writing Group. It features notebooks, a laptop, and paperclips as decoration. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 10am to 3pm ET on Zoom. The text invites Kaleidoscope members to join for writing community and accountability. It says, “Link in post. Email Danielle (dla9ck@virginia.edu) for a cal invite.” A circular Kaleidoscope logo is displayed near the top. The design has a playful, student-oriented aesthetic with pastel colors.

We are excited to announce our first virtual writing group! Drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm ET on Thursday, April 10th on Zoom to share in community with other Kaleidoscope members here: virginia.zoom.us/j/9524977233...
Hope to see many of you on April 10th!

Starting off by shamelessly bragging on our exceptional board members- @jessicatoste.bsky.social @michellecumming.bsky.social @jchow.bsky.social @federicowaitoller.bsky.social @mariahugh.bsky.social - we are here to serve the membership in learning, showing, and connecting on #SpedResearchMatters

anna and olaf from frozen are standing next to each other in the snow and talking to each other . ALT: anna and olaf from frozen are standing next to each other in the snow and talking to each other .

Hi, I’m new here…. CEC-DR members, we want to know what you are up to! Give us a tag or reply that you’re a member and we will give you a follow! Let’s connect our #4SpecialEducation research network. @cecmembership.bsky.social

Our #toolkit has gotten an #upgrade! Visit our brand new #website to access a ton of #free #resources to help with your #advocacy efforts! #edpolicy #school #sped #specialeducation #specialed #teacher #swd ACCESS HERE: sites.google.com/view/ted-pol...

Our #podcast has a special series highlighting stories of folks who may be impacted by #edpolicy changes. This episode features Lacey Henderson, a #RN & parent to a child with significant needs. Listen on #Spotify through our Linktree (in bio)! Also on Apple Podcasts. #disability #family #medicaid

Last day for @cecmembership.bsky.social free
Membership and add cec-DR for a huge discount!