Transparency in Teaching (stuff)

In Episode 3 of our series, we tackle the intricate process of how students qualify for SPED services. Have you ever wondered what it takes for a child to receive the support they need? We break down the timeline, testing procedures, and legal requirements that families must navigate.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover:

• The Timeline: From referral to IEP, we discuss the often frustrating wait times that can stretch up to four months. How does this impact students who are struggling?

• Qualifying Criteria: We explore the legal definitions and categories that determine eligibility for SPED services. What does it mean for a disability to "substantially limit" a child's learning?

• The IEP Process: What goes into creating an Individualized Education Plan? We highlight the essential components and the challenges educators and families face.

Join us as we share our insights, experiences, and a few laughs along the way. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or simply interested in education, this episode is packed with valuable information that you won't want to miss!

As always, we appreciate your support! If you enjoy the episode, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and improve our content.

Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this episode!

Warm regards,

Anne & Jen
Hosts of Transparency in Teaching
transparencyinteaching.com

P.S. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll discuss the perspectives of SPED teachers and general education teachers on the IEP process. It’s going to be an enlightening conversation!

Special education enrollment in the United States has reached record highs, but what's really driving the increase? Is it better diagnosis, changing academic expectations, broader legal protections, or something else entirely?

(NOTE: If you don't want to hear about Jen's wild concert adventure and why her voice sounds like a 70-year-old smoker, bypass our banter and skip to the 6:50 time stamp)

In Episode 2 of our special education series, we move beyond the history of IDEA and examine what's happening inside today's schools. We break down the latest enrollment trends and ask whether the education system has changed more than the students themselves.

Although billions of dollars are spent every year supporting students with disabilities, reliable nationwide cost data is decades old, federal funding continues to fall short of original promises, and local school districts are increasingly forced to make up the difference.

Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of public education, this episode provides the numbers—and the context—to understand one of the fastest-growing challenges facing American schools.

• What it means that more than 8.2 million students now receive special education services.
• The 13 disability categories recognized under federal law and how students qualify for services.
• Why boys are identified for special education at much higher rates than girls.
• Competing theories behind rising special education enrollment.
• Why many Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) rely on common accommodations like extended time—and whether those supports are enough.
• The surprising lack of modern nationwide data on special education spending.
• How the federal government has consistently funded far less than the level originally envisioned under IDEA.
• Why educating students with disabilities costs substantially more than general education—and what those rising costs mean for school districts.

• Special education enrollment continues to rise nationwide, now serving approximately 15% of all public school students.
• Autism diagnoses represent one of the fastest-growing disability classifications in American schools.

• Federal funding has never fully matched the commitment originally envisioned when IDEA became law, leaving states and local districts responsible for much of the financial burden.
• Understanding special education requires looking beyond statistics to the legal, educational, and financial systems that shape the delivery of services.

"The numbers keep climbing—but the funding promised to support those students never truly caught up."

RESOURCES USED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
• U.S. Department of Education special education data

• The Advocacy Institute
• California special education funding reports
• Special Education Stats [2023 Update]
• What federal education data shows about students with disabilities in the U.S
• Public School Teacher Salary in California.
• COE - Students With Disabilities
• 3 Reasons Why More Students Are in Special Education
• Who Qualifies for an IEP in California?
• Dumping Kids with IEPs into General Education Classrooms is not Inclusion | by Laura J. Murphy, MFA, MEd | Age of Awareness | Medium
• California annually spending over $13 billion on special education

California’s $2.4 billion special education boost addresses critical needs, but challenges remain | EdSource  2026-27

• Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Funding Gaps by School District | NEA

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Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode in this series exploring the history, policy, funding, and real-world impact of special education in America.

If this episode helped you better understand today's education system, please leave a 5-star review, share it with a friend or colleague, and join the conversation on social media. Your support helps more educators, parents, and community members discover the podcast.

Get ready to get deep into the realm of Special Education. As a general ed teacher, I've had a love-hate relationship with how best to work with special education students and the teachers who support them. While I understand the necessity, the implementation in a general education classroom often felt awkward and overwhelming. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. I'm also sure our special education teachers have similar grievances when dealing with general ed teachers.

So I decided to do a deep dive to better understand the history of our SPED programs, how they are supposed to work, and whether they are really benefiting the students they serve.

This deep dive was too big to fit into a single episode, so Jen and I decided to create several episodes to give this topic the time it deserves.

Welcome to Episode one:

The History of Special Education (SPED)

In this episode of Transparency in Teaching, Jen and I dive deep into the history of special education (SPED) in the United States. We start with a light-hearted conversation about Jen's rigorous walking routine, but quickly transition into the main topic: the evolution of special education. In this episode we discuss:

• Early Days of Special Education:

1. Initially, children with disabilities were often institutionalized or kept at home with no formal education.

2. Wealthier families could afford private tutors or specialized schools, but most families had limited options.

• Legislative Milestones:

1. A series of laws from 1958 to 1968 began addressing the needs of children with disabilities, but these were piecemeal efforts.

2. Notable acts included the Captioned Films Act (1958), the Training of Professional Personnel Act (1959), and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965).

• Major Legal Cases:

1. Brown vs. Board of Education (1954): Although primarily about racial desegregation, it laid the groundwork for arguments against segregating children with disabilities.

2. PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1971): This case established that children with intellectual disabilities had the right to public education.

3. Mills vs. Board of Education of D.C. (1972): Extended the right to free public education to all children with disabilities, regardless of the cost.

• The IDEA Act:

1. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975), later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities.

2. This act has been reauthorized multiple times but has not been updated since 2004.

• Current Challenges:

1. The IDEA Act is outdated and needs reauthorization and updates to address current educational needs and funding issues.

2. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) further ensured accessibility in public spaces, including schools.

• Jen's Perspective: She is struck by how long it took for meaningful changes to occur and empathizes with the struggles of parents both past and present.

• Anne's Perspective: She is concerned about the IDEA Act's outdatedness and the lack of recent updates to address current educational challenges.

We wrap up by encouraging listeners to reflect on the history of special education and its impact on today's educational landscape. We also tease the next episode, which will delve into the current state of special education, including enrollment numbers and costs.

Listeners are invited to share their thoughts and experiences related to special education on our website, TransparencyInTeaching.com, where they can also find past episodes and blog posts.

Key Points Discussed: Reflections and Takeaways:Conclusion:Call to Action:

Anne and Jen talk about where they've been and preview this season's upcoming educational topics. Jen had quite the school year, buried in new administration and navigating how to stay afloat. Now that summer vacay has arrived, Jen took lots of naps and has now found time to catch her breath and sit down for a preview of the episodes to come! Join us for all the banter you've missed!

1. We explored the misconception that literacy rates were higher in the past, noting that past statistics were often self-reported and not as rigorous as today's assessments.

2. Current literacy rates show that 79% of adults have basic literacy, but half read below a sixth-grade level.

1. We discussed how poverty significantly impacts literacy and overall educational outcomes.

2. Comparing states like New Hampshire and New Mexico, we highlighted how environmental factors, funding, and socio-economic conditions contribute to educational disparities.

1. The episode delved into how school funding is largely dependent on local property taxes, leading to significant inequities between wealthy and impoverished districts.

2. Examples from New York and Idaho illustrated the vast differences in per-pupil spending.

1. We examined how systemic and legal frameworks in different states either support or hinder educational success.

2. The lack of robust policies in states like New Mexico contrasts sharply with the strong legal obligations in New Hampshire to provide equitable education.

1. Illiteracy costs the U.S. economy up to $2.2 trillion annually in lost productivity and increased public assistance needs.

2. Improving literacy rates could significantly boost the GDP and reduce public costs.

1. We discussed the potential of AI in education, suggesting that AI could handle basic learning while teachers focus on social skills and higher-order thinking.

2. However, we acknowledged the importance of human connection and the role of teachers as mentors and role models.

1. The pervasive use of smartphones and social media among students poses significant challenges to their focus and learning.

2. We noted the resistance from parents when schools attempt to limit phone usage, highlighting another external factor beyond teachers' control.

In conclusion, this episode emphasized that while schools and teachers play a crucial role in education, many factors affecting student success lie outside the classroom. Addressing issues like poverty, funding inequities, and systemic barriers is essential for meaningful improvement in education. We called for a broader focus on these external factors to create a more equitable and effective educational system.

In this episode of Transparency in Teaching, I had the pleasure of speaking with Madeline, a former student teacher of mine who is now an adjunct faculty member at Chaffey College. Madeline shared her unique journey into the field of education, highlighting her initial struggles with dyslexia and how overcoming these challenges inspired her to help others learn to read.

Madeline discussed her current role as a part-time professor, teaching English to a diverse group of community college students, including high schoolers in dual enrollment programs.

We delved into her preparation for becoming a teacher, including her experience with the rigorous CalTPA (California Teaching Performance Assessment) and the importance of student teaching. Madeline emphasized the value of having a supportive cohort and mentor during her training.

Madeline also shared practical advice for new teachers, including the importance of not lowering expectations, allowing students to learn from failure, and utilizing apps and online tools to create engaging lessons.

Although Madeline struggled with feeling some first-year burnout, she expressed her continued passion for teaching and her commitment to making a positive impact on her students.

I hope this episode provides valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring educators. If you found our conversation helpful, please share the Transparency in Teaching podcast with your friends and family. Visit our new website, transparencyinteaching.com, for more episodes and blog posts. Thank you for listening!

As of 2025, 32 states, along with Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, have some form of school voucher or voucher-like program (such as education savings accounts or tax-credit scholarships). Seems that voucher programs are spreading across the US like hot TikTok influencer video, captivating, but ya better check your facts first! And I, unfortunately, don't think voucher programs will be retreating back into the Pandora's box of alternate education any time soon. So public school teachers and the folks that love and support them better take notice, because it's coming to a district near you.

I fly solo in this quickie episode and bring you the latest on the biggest voucher program in the US so far. Texas, of course! Everything's bigger in Texas! I talk about how the program will run, how oversight will happen and the pros and cons of how this program may affect public schools. Does Texas get it right? Gotta hold for applause, for now.

For a deeper dive into this topic, listen to episode 58 Public Money for Private School Choice: Who Benefits and Who Pays the Price (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2KplvYMJgMVy4wjaLnUyKw?si=dWYxKPsjTYqvqy0xw0w27w). Jen and I get in deep on the details of these programs and their consequences.

Glad you stopped by for a "quickie" I hope it was as good for you as it was for me!

Thanks for listening and thanks a bunch more for your support!

In this episode of Transparency in Teaching, host Anne sits down with Zach, a recent intern turned full-time educator, who opens up about the highs and lows of his first year in the classroom—all while adjusting to life as a new parent.

Zach shares the realities of teaching, emphasizing that it's far more than a nine-to-five job. From building meaningful relationships with students to navigating the demanding workload beyond school hours, he offers an honest look at what it takes to thrive in education.

Whether you're an aspiring teacher, a seasoned educator, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this conversation provides valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of the teaching profession—especially in those pivotal early years.

Tune in for an authentic, eye-opening discussion on the true nature of teaching!

Leave us a comment! How did you like today's show? What were your first years in the classroom like? Share your advice for new teachers.

Check out our nifty website at https://transparencyinteaching.com

In this episode of "Transparency in Teaching," we tackle the hot topic of school choice and its potential impact on public education. On the surface, letting families decide where to spend their educational tax dollars on the school of their choice seems to make sense. But once we pull back the curtain on the consequences of this financial diversion of public funds, the idea seems more like nonsense. Are the potentially devastating effects school choice can wreak on public school resources and the people they serve worth it?

We get into:

00:06:16 - Understanding Different Types of Vouchers 00:08:01 - Arguments For and Against Vouchers

00:10:17 - Demographics of Private School Students

00:12:24 - Access and Limitations of Voucher Programs

00:13:39 - Financial Instability of Voucher Schools

00:15:10 - Teacher Qualifications and Regulations

00:16:02 - Impact on Resources and Facilities

00:17:27 - Concerns About Accountability in Private Schools

00:19:28 - Jen’s Anecdote on Her Private School Experience

00:24:28 - Racial and Economic Segregation in Private Schools

00:26:20 - Research Findings on Voucher Effectiveness

00:30:33 - Potential Benefits of Competition

00:32:41 - Quality Concerns in Private Education

00:34:41 - Impact of Vouchers on Public School Funding

00:37:07 - Vicious Cycle of Underfunding Public Schools

00:39:29 - The Business Model vs. Education

00:40:54 - Concerns from Private School Administrators

00:43:05 - Need for Accountability in Voucher Programs

00:44:19 - Alternative Solutions to Vouchers

00:46:04 - Investing in Public School Improvements

00:49:17 - Community Schools and Support Services

00:50:33 - Addressing Systemic Inequalities in Education

What do you think? Is it time to “defund” public education?

Tune in for a thought-provoking look at the future of education. 

🎙️ Welcome to Transparency in Teaching! In this episode, Anne reconnects with her first-ever student teacher, Steven Arredondo, now a first-year educator navigating the world of online teaching. Steven shares insights on managing virtual classrooms, acing the CalTPA, and balancing workload, offering fresh perspectives for teachers curious about the digital side of education. Tune in for stories, tips, and laughs, and explore more at TransparencyinTeaching.com. Perfect for educators, from classroom veterans to online teaching newcomers! 🎧