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The 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a significant milestone—a celebration of five decades of progress in special education, including expanded access to general education classrooms and AI- and tech-driven innovations.

However, a changing socio-political landscape presents new challenges, particularly for students with learning differences who need specialized support through Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS). In the edLeader Panel “MTSS in Action: Designing Inclusive Instruction for Tiered Support,” experts on special education outlined pressing challenges and shared actionable strategies to ensure every student receives the targeted support they need to succeed.

Taking Stock of Barriers

Navigating the complexities of special education calls for recognizing the barriers that can hinder progress in supporting students with disabilities. Current challenges could reverse gains made in providing adequate educational opportunities for all learners. These include:

• Staffing shortages are high in special education: 80% of schools nationwide have high vacancy rates, with unfilled special education positions. It’s hard to find qualified professionals who can support the MTSS framework.
• Inadequate funding can’t cover the rising costs of special education to support the growing number of students with learning needs.
• Pandemic-related learning gaps among students with disabilities have left them further behind than before.
• Chronic absenteeism is climbing, with the highest rates among students with disabilities who are not showing up at public schools.
• A rigid focus on compliance hinders academic achievement, limiting the drive to promote outcomes. MTSS instruction is especially stymied when vital resources can’t be used for special education because they are classified as general education resources.
• The number of students with special needs, such as autism and emotional, psychological, and academic issues, has grown substantially. They require unique techniques provided by highly trained professionals, now in short supply.
• With the paring down of the Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights, there has been a massive increase in due process and complaints at the state level.
• Post-pandemic behavioral challenges affect how students learn. They need trained interventionists to help them adhere to behavior codes. Educators must also consider how to address those behaviors across the three tiers.

Addressing the Challenges

The challenges are daunting and raise concerns about the future of special education. But acting now, the panelists urged, might stem the impact of these challenges down the road. The group highlighted actionable steps to launch these efforts.

 1. Advocacy and Awareness

Stay informed about legislative changes and advocate for public education. Pay attention to conversations around the country and at the state and local levels that ramp up how public education is funded.

Be aware of changes in national policy, such as discussions about moving special education from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services and shifting from a teaching-and-learning focus to a “medical model,” which could remove students from general education rather than providing adaptations and modifications.

In addition, recognize voting issues that can affect students, particularly those most at risk, and keep partners and parents informed about the facts to drive informed action.

2. Collaborative Approaches to Staffing

Create collaborative staffing models that encourage innovative thinking and discussion about effective MTSS practices.

3. Navigating Compliance

Find ways to manage compliance constraints while ensuring that MTSS serves students with disabilities effectively at Tier 1 and Tier 3.

4. Instructional Focus

Emphasize high-quality, unified instruction over compliance to provide engaging, assessment-based instruction that consistently addresses student needs across tiers with clear progress metrics.

Create unique learning opportunities, such as school-to-work programs, to prepare students for career paths.

Apply Universal Design for Learning with all students across tiers and resources, ensuring instruction allows students to recognize their progress. 

5. Offering Training

Provide special education training to teachers and paraprofessionals, with unique supports for new teachers who fill instructional gaps.

6. Preparing Staff

Ground staff in MTSS best practices, focusing on proven methods that cut through politics and strategies.

Finally, break down barriers between special and general education to ensure everyone supports all students effectively.

Despite the challenges and uncertainty they bring, the panelists shared one resounding message: Continue to provide the services students need, conduct business as usual, and find ways to bolster special education along the way.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, MTSS in Action: Designing Inclusive Instruction for Tiered Support: Part 2, sponsored by HMH.

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Article by Michele Israel, based on this edLeader Panel