Feb. 3, 2026

Why You Should Care About Special Education

Why You Should Care About Special Education

Does special education make a difference and what’s at risk right now? From IEPs and 504 plans to chronic underfunding and growing legal challenges, millions of students rely on this system—but few understand. 

Education researcher Kimber Wilkerson explains how special education has expanded access to schooling over the past 50 years, and why it remains underfunded. We also explore what it would mean for students if protections like Section 504 were weakened—and how shortages of special education teachers are already straining the system from the inside. 

Special education isn’t perfect—and we don’t fully know how much it changes outcomes—but what happens if we lose it anyway? 

 

 

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