BONUS: Unlocking the Power of Students Who Learn Differently
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
03/14/25
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In this bonus episode I break down the groundbreaking "Forward Together" report from the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) shared by Sarah Sandelius and Kristen N. Briggs during their S4E27 Episode: How The Ability Challenge is Transforming Special Education. Discover the three essential mindsets and eight key practices that benefit not just the one in five students with learning differences, but ALL learners.
I share practical strategies for:
➡️explicit instruction,
➡️Universal Design for Learning,
➡️strategy instruction,
➡️flexible grouping,
➡️positive behavior strategies,
➡️collaboration,
➡️culturally responsive teaching,
➡️and evidence-based content instruction.
Learn how to create equitable learning environments where every student can thrive despite political pushback against inclusive education initiatives.
Episode Mentions:
- ✨NCLD Report: FORWARD TOGETHER: Helping Educators Unlock the Power of Students Who Learn Differently
- ✨Stiggins's 7 Strategies of Assessment FOR Learning
- ✨S3 E31: Your AI-Powered UDL Thought Partner: LUDIA with Beth Stark and Jérémie Rostan
- ✨S4E19: Educational Teams Bridging School & Family Communication w/ Leah Mermelstein & Dr. Jen Gioia
- ✨Kalyn Belsha of Chalkbeat
Perfect for educators, administrators, and caregivers committed to supporting diverse learners.
00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview
01:00 - About the Forward Together Report
03:00 - Understanding the "One in Five" Students
05:00 - Three Essential Mindsets for Effective Teaching
06:00 - Self-Efficacy: Believing in Your Ability to Teach All Students
08:00 - Positive Orientation Toward Inclusion and Belonging
09:00 - Growth Mindset for Teachers and Students
10:00 - Eight Key Practices That Benefit All Learners
11:00 - Explicit Targeted Instruction and Universal Design for Learning
12:00 - Strategy Instruction for Independent Learning
14:00 - Positive Behavior Strategies and PBIS
15:00 - Flexible vs. Fixed Grouping Approaches
16:00 - Collaboration Between Educators and Caregivers
17:00 - Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Pedagogy
19:00 - Evidence-Based Content Instruction
20:00 - What Science Says About Neurodiversity in Learning
22:00 - Moving Forward Together and Finding Purpose
23:00 - Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Preview
#TheAbilityChallenge #SpecialEducation #InclusiveTeaching #LearningDifferences #EquitableEducation #TeachingStrategies #EducatorResources #NCLD #UniversalDesignForLearning #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EducationPodcast
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
Join me as I speak with Sarah Sandelius and Kristen N. Briggs from The Ability Challenge about revolutionizing special education through their groundbreaking THRIVE Framework. We need to shift from deficit-based thinking to presuming competence in all learners.
You'll Learn:
- Why focusing on Tier 1 instruction is essential for ALL students
- How to move beyond compliance metrics to meaningful student outcomes
- The critical difference between visible and invisible disabilities
- Why "kids will meet whatever bar you set for them, low or high"
- Practical strategies for creating truly inclusive learning environments
Sarah Sandelius, a former lawyer who founded The Ability Challenge, shares her personal journey from witnessing educational inequity to creating systems-level change. Kristen N. Briggs brings her invaluable perspective as a special education teacher and school leader, highlighting how intentional support systems can transform educational experiences for students with disabilities.
Episode Mentions:
- National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
- IDEA
- MTSS-i
- Juliana Tapper, M.Ed - Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention
- The Ability Challenge's 2025 White Paper "From ABC to THRIVE"
Chapters:
- 00:00 - Introduction and overview
- 01:00 - Meet Sarah Sandelius and Kristen Briggs
- 02:00 - Research that informs their work
- 03:50 - Kristen on lived experience vs. academic research
- 06:10 - Sarah's journey to founding The Ability Challenge
- 09:56 - Understanding visible vs. invisible disabilities
- 11:59 - What schools could do better to support students
- 13:21 - The problem of "Tier 2 and 3 ourselves out of a Tier 1 challenge"
- 17:23 - The importance of collaborative professional learning
- 19:29 - The THRIVE Framework explained
- 21:50 - Taking a systems-level approach to special education
- 24:40 - Moving beyond compliance metrics to meaningful assessment
- 27:46 - Grade-level content access for all students
- 29:08 - The "what, so what, now what" data analysis protocol
- 31:32 - Setting high expectations and checking educator biases
- 34:34 - Future vision and emerging trends in special education
- 37:17 - Building teacher knowledge around specialized instruction
- 38:37 - Resources for understanding functions of behavior
- 39:12 - Reimagining staffing approaches
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
Join me as I interview Chalkbeat senior national reporter Kalyn Belsha for an urgent update on the Trump administration's education cuts. This follow-up to Kalyn’s Episode 18 appearance covers the rapid dismantling of the Department of Education.
Discover which vital programs have been terminated, how research benefiting thousands of students has been abruptly halted, and what these cuts mean for vulnerable populations including children with disabilities.
This conversation reveals how federal education funding is being used as leverage against schools and universities, and why the biggest concerns lie ahead with potential cuts to Title I and IDEA funding.
Episode Mentions:
- Trump expected to sign executive order on U.S. Department of Education. Here’s what we know by Erica Meltzer
- Parent groups and organizations that support families of children with disabilities by state
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
- The Hechinger Report's tracker of Trump's education actions
- The New York Times' tracker on lawsuits against the Trump administration
- Columbia University's response to the Trump administration saying it would withhold $400M in federal funds from the University
- The University of Kansas Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction -This link has a teacher's guide & earlier research on the strategy
00:00 Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters
01:00 Overview of Recent Department of Education Cuts
02:00 Kalyn Belsha Returns with Critical Updates
03:00 Department of Education Confirmation Hearings
04:35 Linda McMahon's Limited Knowledge of Education Law
05:25 Major Cuts to Teacher Training and Research Programs
07:15 Impact on Students with Disabilities' Transition Programs
08:30 Research Projects That Cannot Be Restarted
09:30 The "End DEI" Portal and Its Real Purpose
11:15 Where Are the Guardrails? Understanding Funding Types
12:45 The Future of Title I and IDEA Funding
14:15 Implications for Colleges and Universities
15:40 Federal Funding Used as Leverage Against Schools
17:00 Executive Order to Dismantle the Education Department
18:30 Withholding Federal Funds as a New Enforcement Tactic
19:30 School Meal Program Rollbacks on the Horizon
20:45 The Connection Between Education and Democracy
22:15 How to Stay Informed Without Being Overwhelmed
24:00 Resources for Tracking Education Policy Changes
25:15 How to Advocate for Education Funding
26:30 Moving Beyond Our Bubbles to Support All Children
27:30 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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