Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they discuss the importance of Class Jobs! Here are some traditional and unique ideas from this Edutopia Article.

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The IDEA requires that specially designed instruction be informed by research based methodologies. 

(E) supporting high-quality, intensive preservice preparation and professional development for all personnel who work with children with disabilities in order to ensure that such personnel have the skills and knowledge necessary to improve the academic achievement and functional performance of children with disabilities, including the use of scientifically based instructional practices, to the maximum extent possible; (Section 1400)

and 

Section 1414: Evaluations, Reevaluations, IEPs

Congress added new language to the definition of IEPs in Section 1414(d). IEPs must include "a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services, based on peer-reviewed research . . ."

This week Abby, Angela and Robin discuss research based strategies to support students struggling with elementary math using a practice guide summarizing research based strategies that are proven to have a positive impact.

Here is the article

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Join Robin and Angela as they discuss the importance of the school handbook! 

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Welcome to Season 6! Join Abby, Angela and Robin as they kick off season 6 by celebrating the upcoming 50th birthday of the IDEA (Nov. 2025!) 

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Happy summer and best wishes to those teachers/families who are currently returning to school! Robin, Abby and Angela come together for a summer episode focusing on graduation guidance for students in MA on IEPs. 

MA DESE Graduation and Transition Memo- July 2025

Age of Majority info. (CMR 603.28.07 #5)

Lots to discuss on this important topic and we hope to continue the discussion with Kelley on the pod this fall.

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29 episodes later, this is the last episode of Season 5! Listen up as we preview some topics we're thinking about and share some summer updates. Thanks for being such loyal listeners. Have a wonderful wrap up to your school year and we'll be back in the fall for Season 6.

Robin, Abby and Angela

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Listen in as Robin and Abby discuss the recent appointment of the new OSEP Director.

Here is the company that designs products to help feel more grounded and in control (Calmware).

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Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the recent  wildly inaccurate, incendiary and harmful statements from US Health and Human Services (HHS) Director, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about people with Autism.

Click here to review the growing list of disability advocacy organizations that responded to his comments.

The Autism Society summary of group statement

Signatory Organizations:

Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Colin Killick, Executive Director

Autism Society of America, Christopher Banks, President and CEO

Autism Speaks, Keith Wargo, President and CEO

The Arc of the United States, Katy Neas, Chief Executive Officer

Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Sharon daVanport, Executive Director

Autistic People of Color Fund, Ly Xīnzhèn Zhǎngsūn Brown, Founding Executive Director

Autism Empowerment, Karen Krejcha, Co-Founder, Executive Director

Dan Marino Foundation, Mary Partin, CEO

Pivot Neurodiversity

Association for Autism and Neurodiversity

Organization for Autism Research

Els for Autism

Autistic Doctors International

Hussman Institute for Autism

Milestones Autism Resources

Easterseals, Inc.

Autistic Women’s Alliance

National Council on Severe Autism interview with NPR

Fact Checking RFK's statements - PBS article

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Ever wonder why people stim? Or what you can do to support students if they are stigmatized by a particular stim? Robin, Angela and Abby break it down. 

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Listen in as Robin and Abby discuss the weird and wonderful (potentially) world of A. I. adoption in public schools. Everything from the politics at the State level to individual teacher and student decision making is being impacted by this new development.

MADESE web resources on AI

Lots of Resources on AI

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