NY Region 1 Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC)’s FAQ: New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): New York State students with significant cognitive disabilities may take a different statewide exam than their peers, the NYSAA. This FAQ, developed in partnership with our NY Region 1 Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC) Collaborative partners, answers questions about the test, including who is eligible, how to know whether your child is assessed using alternate or standard assessments, how the NYSAA impacts diploma options, and more. A big shoutout to all the Parent Centers involved for their collaborative efforts and hard work in bringing this resource to families. Find it here.

Region A Drop-In Call: The next Drop-In call will take place on Tuesday, February 4, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST. Our featured technical assistance presenter will be Tay Saint-Amour (they/them), Executive Director of Youth MOVE National.

The National Parent Center Conference | The Power of Parent Centers: Driving Positive Change will be held from April 8-10, 2025, at the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel, and registration is now open! Click the link to register in English or Spanish. CPIR has sent a link to each Parent Center’s executive director and director with details on 1 free registration and lodging for one person from their Parent Center. NEPACT will cover the flight of this individual. Note: The RAISE Summit is April 10-12, 2025, with joint sessions between RAISE and NPCC on the morning of April 10th. 

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Conference – Save the Date: Mark your calendars for the OSEP Conference from August 5-7 at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA. More details will be shared soon.

CPIR Calendar: Don’t forget to check out the HUB Central Events calendar at the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) for more webinars and events.

Mapping the Landscape of AI-Powered Nonprofits: Understanding how nonprofits are leveraging AI will help other social entrepreneurs and funders see—and get inspired by—the vast possibilities in applying AI for social good. Read more in Stanford Innovation Review.

Guideposts for Success: Discover a framework developed by the U.S. Department of Labor to support youth, particularly those with disabilities, in transitioning to adulthood. It focuses on key areas such as education, career preparation, leadership, and family engagement. These components help ensure successful outcomes in postsecondary education and employment. For more details, click here.

Free Training Resources: Check out these free professional development training resources from SkillPath here.

14 states pledge to cut chronic absenteeism rates by half over 5 years: Fourteen states, including Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, historically among those with the highest chronic absenteeism rates, have pledged to reduce these rates by 50% within five years. Other participating states include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia (Region A states in bold). Learn more about this initiative here.

Supporting Multilingual Learners: States nationwide are leveraging federal funding to foster inclusive environments that meet the cultural and linguistic needs of young students and their families. A new brief from the Build Initiative outlines strategies and provides real-world examples for delivering high-quality education to multilingual learners in early childhood programs. Read more about this strategies here.

Prevention: Learn how to identify bullying and stand up to it safely: The StopBullying.gov resource helps identify different types of bullying, explains relevant federal laws, and provides strategies for addressing and preventing bullying. It also offers guidance on how to stand up to bullying safely. For more information, click here.

This Child-Welfare Rule Puts Social Justice Over Safety: A recent rule from the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families allows relatives of a child to become foster parents without needing to meet the same standards as non-relatives. While the rule aims to prioritize family connections, concerns have been raised about balancing social justice goals with child safety, read more here. Read and let us know what you think!

US Supreme Court to Weigh in on Effort to Found Nation’s First Religious Charter School: In a brief unsigned order, the justices agreed to review a ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court that rejected an effort by a Catholic online school to become the nation’s first religious charter school. The Oklahoma Supreme Court had agreed with the State’s Attorney General that an online religious charter school would be unconstitutional. Read more.

Selecting and Using Culturally Appropriate Children’s Books: Introducing students to books in languages beyond English benefits all learners by fostering culturally responsive environments and supporting multilingual learners in developing English and their home language skills. This guide from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning provides tips on selecting culturally relevant books, and offers recommended resources to get started. Check it out here.

Using Relational Data to Become More Persuasive: Relational data refers to the way in which different pieces of information relate to each other. By understanding how different pieces of information are connected, we can become more persuasive and more effective arguments. Check it out.

What the Latest Civil Rights Data Show About Racial Disparities in Schools: Black and Latino students are disproportionately denied access to advanced STEM courses and fully certified teachers compared to their peers from other demographics. Additionally, they face higher rates of suspension, expulsion, and are more likely to be subjected to restraint and seclusion. Find the full report here.

Quick Guide to Special Education Dispute Resolution Processes for Parents of Children & Youth (Ages 3-21): Navigating special education disputes can be challenging. This comparison chart from CADRE offers a clear overview of different dispute resolution processes, helping families and educators make informed decisions. The chart highlights key features of mediation, due process hearings, state complaints, and resolution meetings. Access the chart here.

Here's why it's important to stay in high school and graduate: Staying in school and earning a diploma can open doors to future opportunities. Mentoring, identified as one of the 15 key strategies by the National Dropout Prevention Center, has proven highly effective in helping students stay on track. Click here to learn more about the importance of high school graduation and how mentoring makes a difference.

Promoting Early Development: Building a Strong Foundation: Research highlights that all infants and toddlers need good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences to ensure a strong start in life. These key factors create a foundation for lifelong growth and success. Explore insights and strategies from Zero to Three to support early childhood development. Learn more from Zero to Three here. 

Parent and Family Engagement Provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act: This guide, updated in 2023, provides invaluable information n the provisions of ESSA related to family engagement. Check it out.

Why Costco Isn’t Joining the Backlash Against DEI: Unlike some large retailers stepping away from DEI efforts, Costco Wholesale remains committed to these initiatives. The company emphasizes loyalty to both its customers and employees as a core part of its mission. Read more.

Americans' Views of the U.S. Foster Care and Adoption: The report, “Americans’ Views of U.S. Foster Care: Elevating Black Americans’ Perspectives and Experiences,” by Kidsave and Gallup, sheds light on public perceptions of the foster care system, with a focus on Black Americans. Safe and stable homes are vital for all children in foster care, but the need is especially urgent for Black children, explore the report.

Fewer US grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data: In the early 2020s, fewer grandparents were living with and caring for their grandchildren, fewer young children were attending preschool, and more people stayed in their homes compared to the late 2010s. These trends, revealed by U.S. Census Bureau data from December 2024, highlight some lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

National Survey of Children’s Health: Check out this valuable information from the National Survey of Children’s Health, providing you with national data, state data, and opportunities to compare your state’s data with national data and/or with other states’ data, here.

How school districts can break the cycle of homelessness with alternative student transportation: School districts are helping students experiencing housing instability by offering safe, reliable transportation options. These efforts provide students with greater stability and a stronger foundation for success in academics and beyond, read more here.

Biden Administration Scraps Medicaid Change for Special Education Services: The U.S. Department of Education has withdrawn a proposed rule aimed at simplifying how schools bill Medicaid for mental health and medical services provided to students. The change was intended to offer schools additional resources to address the growing mental health challenges among students, but advocates argued that removing the right of parents to consent - or deny consent - for schools to bill Medicaid for services delivered to their children would increase the number of children denied services at home and in the community due to Medicaid agencies and HMO’s reducing or eliminating services when schools bill Medicaid for similar services. Learn more here.

An immigration fix to address the health care workforce crisis: Congress should explore reforms that allow immigrants who graduate from U.S. schools to fill critical medical positions. With demand in the health care sector outpacing supply, these graduates could help alleviate the workforce shortage. Learn more about this proposal at STAT News.

Debunking the “Myths” of Inclusion: Inclusive education promotes the belief that every child, regardless of ability or background, deserves the opportunity to learn in a supportive, integrated environment. However, misconceptions about inclusion—such as concerns over academic standards and managing diverse classrooms—can hinder its adoption. By addressing and dispelling these myths, we can create a more equitable and enriching educational experience for all students. Find it here.

Philly locks up kids at one of the highest rates anywhere, despite widespread abuse in juvenile institutions: For over fifty years, government officials and researchers have found that confining youth in institutions results in poorer outcomes—lower graduation rates, worse employment prospects, higher recidivism, and an increased risk of adult incarceration. Yet, Philadelphia continues to incarcerate youth at one of the highest rates in the country, despite ongoing concerns about abuse in juvenile facilities. Read more.

Empower LGBTQ Youth Through Inclusive Practices in 2025: The article highlights ways to empower LGBTQ youth through inclusive practices in education. It covers creating supportive environments, implementing inclusive teaching strategies, and providing mental health support. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging and respect, ensuring LGBTQ youth feel affirmed and safe. Read more here.

Breaking the Algorithm: Redesigning social media for youth well-being: Mental Health America's latest report, Breaking the Algorithm: Redesigning Social Media for Youth Well-Being, explores the significant impact of social media on young people’s mental health, relationships, and daily lives. The report emphasizes the need for changes to better support youth in the digital age. Read more.

Health and disability benefits for family and caregivers: The VA Health and Disability Benefits page provides information for veterans' families and caregivers on health care options, financial assistance, mental health services, and educational support. It also includes resources for children of veterans with disabilities linked to military service. For more details, visit the full page.

Native American Children’s Health and Well-Being: The U.S. has a history of violence against Indigenous peoples, and systemic inequities persist. Many treaty obligations remain unmet, and policies supporting Native communities are lacking. Addressing these issues is vital for achieving justice and equity. Learn more here.

See above, Parent and Family Engagement Provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act: This guide, updated in 2023, provides invaluable information n the provisions of ESSA related to family engagement. Check it out.

Child Poverty Increases Sharply Following Expiration of Expanded Tax Credit: Back in 2021, as the economy reeled from the pandemic, a one-year expansion of the child tax credit led to a historic 46 percent decline in the U.S. child poverty rate. It dropped from 9.7 percent to 5.2 percent. New census data out today shows a dramatic reversal, with the rate of children in poverty skyrocketing to 12.4 percent in 2022. That's higher than pre-pandemic levels. FInd out more from PBS.

Restraint and seclusion harmful to students, Education Department warns: Former U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona urged state and local K-12 and early education leaders to avoid using restraint and seclusion to address behavior issues. Instead, schools should implement proactive strategies like multi-tiered systems of support to better serve students. Read more about this guidance here.

To Be Ready for Kindergarten, Teachers and Researchers Say Social-Emotional Skills Are Key: Recent surveys and research highlight that the last few classes of kindergarteners have lacked basic skills that educators once expected, including following instructions, sharing, and using writing utensils. Social-emotional skills are now seen as crucial for readiness Read more about this issue on EdSurge here.

State and Local Governments: First Steps Toward Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Rule: A new resource offers action steps for ADA Coordinators and others working with state and local governments to ensure web content and mobile apps comply with upcoming regulations. This guide is designed to help governments prepare for compliance, with requirements taking effect in April 2026 and April 2027. Access the guide and learn more here.

Tips for Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: This article provides steps that adults with learning disabilities can take to become self-advocates and request accommodations or services in the workplace. Read the full article.

US Citizen Children Impacted by Immigration Enforcement: Find out how immigration enforcement impact US citizen children in this report by the American Immigration Council, here.