From Insight to Impact: Navigating IDEA Challenges in Today’s Schools
“Be really tight on your beliefs, your integrity, your core values, but be loose and collaborative on solutions.”
The webinar explored key IDEA challenges in today’s schools, highlighting the need for strong leadership, inclusive practices, and ongoing professional development to support special education. Panelists shared practical strategies—such as co-teaching models, MTSS frameworks, and collaborative approaches—while emphasizing the resources available through the Lead IDEA Center to help principals lead effectively.
Key Takeaways
1. Leaders Underprepared Support: Leaders often feel underprepared to support special education services, with only 12% of principals reporting adequate preparation.
2. Effective Special Education: Effective strategies include strong Tier 1 instruction, collaborative teaching models, and ensuring special educators are included in leadership teams.
3. Inclusion Culture Critical: Addressing staff mindset and fostering a culture of inclusion are critical for student belonging and success.
4. Principals Improve Outcomes: Principals should focus on validating staff feelings, being collaborative, and knowing their students personally to improve outcomes.
5. Leadership Capacity Resources: Utilizing resources like the Lead IDEA Center’s website, navigator tools, and self-directed learning modules can help build leadership capacity in special education.