DiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing Debates

Educational Segregation in Spain (Divein Miniserie). Season Finale: Solutions and a Final Twist

Mon, 18 May 2026 08:44:46 GMT

In the final episode of our DiveIn miniseries on school segregation in Spain, the story reaches the Basque parliament—and takes an unexpected turn.

After organizing, gathering signatures, building alliances, and pushing educational segregation into the public debate, the grassroots initiative (ILP) finally presents its proposals to lawmakers. Their demands are bold:

publicly funded schools must truly be free,
all schools should reflect the demographics of their communities,
enrollment should be centralized to reduce segregation,
and schools receiving public funds must be held accountable for equity.

But what happens when educational reform collides with politics, language identity, and powerful institutions?

As the movement appears ready for victory, a dramatic political reversal changes everything.

Or does it?

DiveIn Miniserie Educational Segregation in Spain Ep. 3: The Causes

Mon, 11 May 2026 07:51:44 GMT

In this third episode of our DiveIn miniseries on school segregation in Spain, we move beyond the headlines and ask a difficult question: What actually causes school segregation in Spain and the Basque Country?

After following the grassroots movement pushing the issue into the Basque parliament, we now dive into the deeper structural forces shaping who attends which schools—and why. Through conversations with leading researchers and policy experts, this episode unpacks the complex web behind segregation: publicly funded private schools (escuelas concertadas), school choice policies, hidden fees, language politics, middle-class flight, and cultural barriers facing immigrant families.

You’ll hear how Spain’s dual school system creates powerful incentives for social sorting, but also why the story is far more complicated than simply blaming private-public partnerships. Experts challenge simplistic explanations and reveal how segregation is increasingly happening within school networks—including inside public schools themselves.

This episode also explores one of the most fascinating and politically sensitive issues in the Basque Country: language as a mechanism of segregation. Can bilingual and Euskera immersion programs unintentionally separate students along class and immigration lines? And how do schools created as symbols of cultural resistance become part of a system producing inequality?

Along the way, Federico connects these debates to the United States, comparing Spain’s segregation patterns with the long history of housing discrimination, school choice, charter schools, and white flight in the U.S.

Episode Transcript

The Disproportionality Series Final Episode: A Conversation with Alfredo Artiles

Thu, 07 May 2026 08:33:32 GMT

In the final episode of DiveIn’s Disproportionality Series, host Federico Waitoller welcomes back Alfredo Artiles—one of the leading scholars in the field and the very first guest ever featured on the podcast.

Drawing on more than three decades of research, Dr. Artiles challenges listeners to rethink disproportionality beyond simplistic debates about over- and underrepresentation in special education. Instead, he invites us to examine the historical, cultural, political, and institutional forces that shape how disability, race, and educational opportunity intersect.

This conversation explores:

Why disproportionality cannot be understood outside of history and context
The limitations of current research and policy approaches
How race, disability, and inequity become intertwined through institutional practices
The “equity paradox” of special education as both a site of support and exclusion
What next-generation research and policy on disproportionality could look like

Throughout the episode, Dr. Artiles offers powerful examples, provocative critiques, and hopeful possibilities for reimagining teaching, learning, and advocacy for students with disabilities.

Whether you are a researcher, educator, policymaker, student, or advocate, this episode offers a deeply reflective and intellectually engaging conclusion to one of DiveIn’s most important series to date.

TRASNCRIPT OF EPISODE

Educational Segregation in Spain (Divein Miniserie). Part 2: Gathering Signatures and Finding Support

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:28:42 GMT

In this second episode of our DiveIn miniseries on school segregation in Spain, the story moves from idea to action.

After introducing the grassroots initiative in the Basque Country, we now follow the organizers as they take a bold step: bringing school segregation to the political stage. What does it take to turn concern into change? In this episode, you’ll hear how activists mobilized parents, school leaders, and policymakers to gather thousands of signatures and spark a national conversation.

But advocacy alone isn’t enough—data becomes their most powerful tool. Through compelling visualizations and creative use of available data, the team exposes stark inequalities between public schools and publicly funded private schools (concertadas). The patterns are hard to ignore: differences in who attends which schools reveal deep divides shaped by class, migration, and history.

Along the way, we zoom out to understand how Spain compares globally—and why the Basque Country presents a unique and complex case. From language politics to the legacy of ikastolas, schools born as resistance under dictatorship but now entangled in new forms of inequality, this episode uncovers the contradictions at the heart of the system.

And just when momentum builds, tensions emerge. Not everyone agrees on the problem—or the solution.

Will the movement gain enough support to reach parliament?

And what happens when equity efforts collide with history, identity, and politics?

🎙️ Tune in to hear how a grassroots campaign grows into a political force—and why the fight against school segregation is far more complicated than it seems.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Report Mentioned in the Story: Educación y segregación escolar en Euskadi

** This miniseries was originally produced for the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center

Educational Segregation in Spain (Divein Miniserie). Part 1: A Legislative Initiative Begins

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:34:27 GMT

In this episode, we bring to you a new miniseries. Host Federico Waitoller takes listeners on a journey to the Basque Country in Spain, where an initiative aimed at combating school segregation has been set into motion. The miniseries delves into the legislative efforts undertaken by local activists Sabin and Gonzalo to bring ethnic and class segregation into the public debate. Experts discuss the historical context of Spain's dual education system, born out of the Franco regime, and how public and publicly funded private schools coexist. This episode sets the stage for understanding a complex issue with modern implications.

Episode Transcript

** This miniseries was originally produced for the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center

The Disproportionality Series Part 3: A Conversation with Donna Ford

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 09:15:38 GMT

In this podcast episode, Federico Waitoller interviews Dr. Donna Ford, a distinguished professor in gifted and talented education, to discuss the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx students in these programs. Dr. Ford highlights the pervasive issue of disproportionality, drawing attention to systemic biases ingrained in policies and educational practices. The conversation delves into the root causes and explores the differences in state policies that contribute to the disparities. Dr. Ford emphasizes the need for greater accountability and the importance of addressing both implicit and explicit biases to achieve equity in educational opportunities.

Transcript of Episode

This is the show Donna and I could not remember the name. Check this great clip ! https://share.google/r8i6PasKa5ByauV56

The Disproportionality Series Part 2: A Conversation with Rachel Fish

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:12:54 GMT

In the 10th episode of Dive In’s third season, host Federico Waitoller continues with the disproportionality series. In this show, he explores the complex issue of disproportionality in special education with sociologist Rachel Fish. Fish discusses her research on how racial and linguistic minorities are disproportionately represented, examining the roles of structural racism and social constructs in this disparity. The conversation highlights different perspectives and methodologies, including both qualitative and quantitative research, to better understand this multifaceted issue. By considering factors like educational inequity and subjective diagnoses, the episode offers a nuanced take on how schools contribute to and perpetuate inequalities in special education settings.

Episode Transcript

The Disproportionality Series Part 1: A Conversation with Paul Morgan

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:29:46 GMT

In this episode of Dive In, Federico Waitoller starts a new series delving into the controversial issue of disproportionality in special education. Joining him is Paul Morgan, a noted figure renowned for challenging conventional beliefs about minority representation. Morgan discusses the difference between descriptive evidence and disparities, emphasizing the importance of examining similarly situated children to uncover potential biases. He responds to critiques to his work and argues that the sweeping claims of systemic bias lack substantial empirical support. This conversation sets the stage for a thought-provoking series aiming to synthesize diverse perspectives on disproportionality.

Engage with me and others in our Discord channel https://discord.gg/GCwtRwrE

Check our related episode with Catherine Voulgarides https://divein.alitu.com/episode/5de361e4-ca33-4934-b217-2226fc08d5dc

Episode Transcript

Two Camps, One Question: How Should We Understand Interventions in Special Education?

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:55:14 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, host Federico Waitoller invites Professor Aydin Bal to discuss the concept of interventions within special education. They explore the differing perspectives of traditionalists and critical approaches, examining how each group's approach impacts educational practices. The episode offers insights into his culturally responsive framework for interventions, emphasizing the importance of dynamic and collaborative approaches that center on the needs and knowledge of local community members.

IDEA at 50: Is Policy Compliance Enough to Address Disproportionality?

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:08:21 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, host Federico Waitoller sits down with scholar Dr. Catherine Voulgarides to unpack one of the most persistent—and politically charged—issues in special education: racial and linguistic disproportionality.

Fifty years after the passage of IDEA, states are still required to identify and address significant disproportionality. But is compliance with federal rules enough to move the needle on long-standing inequities? Drawing on her multi-state research project and upcoming book Beyond Compliance: Reclaiming Agency in Special Education, Voulgarides offers a rare systems-level view of how monitoring actually works—across federal, state, district, and school levels—and why the current approach often falls short.

This episode takes listeners inside the often-invisible policy machinery that shapes educational equity—and asks what it will take to move from compliance to actual change, providing recommendations for state and school administrators, practitioners, and researchers.

Episode Transcript

Knock Knock! Is there anybody left in the Office of Special Education Services ?

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:27:26 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, I sit down with Kuna Tavalin to discuss the termination of 95% of staff at the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). We explore the implications of this near-shuttering of OSEP amid the ongoing government shutdown, and what it means for students with disabilities nationwide. We also talk about what’s next — and what you can do to take action and help stop these cuts.

Call to Action Legislative Action Center | Council for Exceptional Children

CEC Position on the federal role on education

Episode Transcript

Learning to Live Together Ep. 4 Season Finale

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:43:58 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, we bring you the season finale of Learning to Live Together, our special miniseries about school integration and inclusive education. Learning to Living Together is a four-part podcast series about inclusion and school integration in the twenty-first century. Across the four episodes, we delve into the meanings, tensions, and practices of integration and inclusion in today’s context.

In episode 4, we bring all our friends together to share their experiences with each other. , We discuss with all of our friends the commonalities and differences across social movements and struggles toward inclusion, whether it's disability, race, gender, and how these are playing out across the United States and the areas of convergence across movements that can service catalysts for collaboration.

EPISODE TRASNCRIPT

Empowering Disabled Educators: Breaking Barriers in Special Ed

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:23:53 GMT

This podcast episode explores the unique experiences and strengths that special educators with disabilities bring to their classrooms. Host Federico Waitoller and guests discuss how disabilities are valuable cultural repertoires of teachers that enrich work and the learning experiences that provide to their students. Insights from special educators, such as Hannah Benson, shed light on the transformative power of diverse identities in teaching. The episode delves into ongoing research by Dr. Amy Tondreau and Dr. Laurie Rabinowitz, highlighting the crucial role that acknowledging and supporting teachers with disabilities plays in fostering inclusive and effective educational environments.

Transcript

DiveIn Miniserie: Learning to Live Together Part 3

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:17:02 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, we bring you the third part of Learning to Live Together, our special miniseries about school integration and inclusive education. Learning to Living Together is a four-part podcast series about inclusion and school integration in the twenty-first century. Across the four episodes, we delve into the meanings, tensions, and practices of integration and inclusion in today’s context.

In episode 3, we focus on the practical aspects of integration and inclusion, focusing specifically on how to go about achieving integration and inclusion in school communities. We learn about the importance of funding, community buy-in, and the need to change mindsets if we are to experience integration. We also learn about a specific framework for integration developed by youth organizers that focuses on race and enrollment, resources, relationships, restorative justice, and representation. And perhaps most importantly, we hear about the importance of listening to students and involving them in school decisions and solutions, as well as developing relationships and caring for one another.

EPISODE TRASNCRIPT

DiveIn Miniserie: Learning to Live Together Part 2

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:22:53 GMT

In this episode, we bring you the second part of Learning to Live Together. The miniseries was originally produced for the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance (MAP) Center with Sarah Diem, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri. Learning to Live Together is a four-part podcast series about inclusion and school integration in the twenty-first century. Across the four episodes, we delve into the meanings, tensions, and practices of integration and inclusion in today’s context. In this second episode, our guests discuss important questions than those posed in episode one: Should we continue to strive for inclusion, school integration, or inclusive education? Is it an all-or-nothing approach, or should we be thinking about it differently depending on the context? Is it always worth it? What are the benefits and challenges?

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

DiveIn Miniserie: Learning to Live Together Part 1

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 08:57:04 GMT

In this first episode of the third season of DiveIn launch of this four-part mini series called Learning to Live Together. The mini series was originally produced for the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance (MAP) Center with Sarah Diem, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri. Learning to Live Together is a four-part podcast series about inclusion and school integration in the twenty-first century. Across the four episodes, we delve into the meanings, tensions, and practices of integration and inclusion in today’s context. In this first episode, we discuss different understandings and terms that are used to describe similar longings. Terms such as inclusion and integration, and inclusive education are used depending on individuals’ social struggles and what kind of social group they may be discussing. In episode one, we hear from our interviewees as to how they define integration and inclusion, and how their experiences and identities impact these definitions.

EPISODE TRNSCRIPT

Updates on the Becerra Case, The Department of Education, and the Big Beautiful? Bill

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:01:50 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, we provide crucial updates on key issues affecting special education. With special guest Kuna Tavalin, we give an update on the State of Texas vs. Becerra case, which challenges Section 504 as unconstitutional. Additionally, we discuss the unstable situation within the Department of Education, with staff reductions and ongoing court battles creating a strain on special education services. Finally, we unpack two debates taking place in Congress that have implications for the education of students with disabilities: the "Big Beautiful Bill" and the budget proposal from the Trump administration.

Episode Transcript

Other Related Episodes

What’s Really Happening at the Department of Education? How Policy Shifts Threaten IDEA

Is Section 504 Under Threat? Diving into the State of Texas Vs Becerra Case

School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities: A Conversation with Kevin Welner

The Promise and Peril of Charter Schools for Students with Disabilities

Thu, 08 May 2025 09:09:51 GMT

In this episode, I sit down with Naomi N. Shelton and Jennifer Coco to unpack the complex realities facing students with disabilities (SWDs) in the charter school sector. We explore the persistent patterns of exclusion that keep SWDs on the margins—and, more importantly, spotlight the powerful efforts underway to disrupt these inequities. Our conversation highlights community-rooted charter schools led by Black, Brown, and Indigenous educators and leaders, revealing the transformative potential of these models to redefine charter schools.

We also examine the shifting political landscape, discussing how recent policies and the Trump administration’s influence could reshape the capacity of charter schools to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Finally, we take a critical look at the growing movement for religious charter schools and the risks they pose for equitable, accessible education.

This is a must-listen for anyone invested in educational justice, disability rights, and the evolving charter school movement.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Some of my work on this topic

Excluded by Choice: Urban Students With Disabilities in the Education Marketplace

Can Charter Schools Address Racial Inequities Evidenced in Access to the General Education Classroom? A Longitudinal Study in Chicago Public Schools

A Longitudinal Comparison of Enrollment Patterns of Students Receiving Special Education in Urban Neighborhood and Charter Schools

What’s Really Happening at the Department of Education? How Policy Shifts Threaten IDEA

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:03:27 GMT

In this episode of 'DiveIn,' host Federico Waitoller explores the current tumultuous changes affecting the Department of Education under the Trump administration. With guest experts Kuna Tavalin and Kareem Thompson, the discussion focuses on proposed plans to dismantle the department, move IDEA programs to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and how these shifts impact students with disabilities. As administrative and legal staff faces drastic reductions and uncertainty looms, the podcast delves into the legal implications, congressional responses, and the overarching political landscape that affects special education across the U.S.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Beyond the Hype: AI, Disability, and Equity in Education

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:36:50 GMT

In this podcast, we tackle a pressing and timely issue: the growing role of AI in education. With Mary Rice, Joaquin Arguello, and Richard Carter Jr., I explore the potential benefits and hidden risks of AI technologies. Can AI help address long-standing inequities faced by students with disabilities and other marginalized learners—or could it deepen existing disparities? We examine questions of transparency, standardization, and the evolving relationship between AI, teachers, and students. Beyond critique, we also imagine what AI could be: a tool for transforming schools into more equitable, just, and inclusive learning spaces.

TRANSCRIPT OF THE EPISODE

Resources

Let’s CHAT About Artificial Intelligence for Students With Disabilities: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

The Use of Artificial Intelligence with Students with Identified Disabilities: A Systematic Review with Critique

Is Section 504 Under Threat? Diving into the State of Texas Vs Becerra Case

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:28:37 GMT

In this episode, I discuss with David DeMatthews the Texas Vs. Becerra court case- a case that threatens the existence of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We explain the case's history, present, and potential implications. We also contextualize the case amid broader ongoing efforts to weaken civil rights protections for children, youth and adults with disabilities.

Related Episodes

What Does a Trump Administration Mean for Special Education?

School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities

Transcript of Episode 7

DiveIn Trailer

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:15:59 GMT

This is the trailer for DiveIn.

Dismantling de Department of Education: Implications for Students with Disabilities

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 10:00:44 GMT

This is a clip from episode four in which Mitch Yell and David Bateman talk about the implications of dismantling the Department of Education.

Transcript

School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities: A Conversation with Kevin Welner

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:05:18 GMT

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Welner to unpack the complexities of school voucher programs and their impact on special education. We explore the different types of voucher systems, their legal implications under IDEA, ADA, and Section 504, and what research reveals about their financial effects, educational outcomes, and who benefits most. We also examine how vouchers intersect with issues of race, class, language, and gender, shedding light on their consequences for historically marginalized students. The episode wraps up with key policy recommendations for a more equitable education system.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Listen also to the following related episodes.

What Does a Trump Administration Mean for Special Education? A Conversation with Mitchell Yell and David Bateman

Navigating the Landscape of Anti-Woke Culture in Special Education Research

What does a Trump Administration Mean for Special Education? A Conversation with Mitchell Yell and David Bateman

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:01:01 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn we discuss with Mitchell Yell and David Bateman what a Trump administration means for special education. Is the IDEA or the Department of Education going away? Will special education experience severe budget cuts? What do expanding voucher programs and charter schools mean for students with disabilities? And How other policies, such as Title IX, can also affect the educational experiences of students with disabilities? We discuss this and much more in this timely episode.

Transcript

What Are Technical Assistance Centers? A Conversation with Seena Skelton

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 18:16:47 GMT

Do you know that there are various federally funded technical assistance (TA) centers around the US that offer free services to states, districts, and schools? In this episode, you will learn about these technical assistance centers and the free services you can receive from them. We will discuss the work of TA centers with Seena Skelton, director of the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistant Center.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

The Unique Experience of Black Students with Autism and their Families: A Conversation with Jamie Pearson

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 23:11:18 GMT

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jamie Pearson to explore the unique experiences of Black students with autism and their families. We discuss the systemic inequities these students face, the barriers they encounter in accessing services, and how they navigate life within their communities. Additionally, we delve into the complexities and tensions surrounding ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) practices, particularly when applied to Black children and youth. This conversation offers valuable insights and recommendations for school administrators and researchers.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Tackling the Special Education Teacher Shortage: A conversation with Elizabeth Bettini

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:28:44 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, I talked to Dr. Elizabeth Bettini about the persistent challenges in special education teacher recruitment and retention. Dr. Bettini details the longstanding issues since the 1970s, addresses the implications of the teaching shortage for BIPOC communities, and provides recommendations for administrators and researchers.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Dismantling the School Discipline Gap: A Conversation with Dan Losen

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 14:31:33 GMT

In this episode, I interview Dan Losen, the senior director of the education team at the National Center for Youth Law. We discuss pressing issues regarding disciplinary disparities in special education. Losen emphasizes the lack of adequate support and quality services for students with disabilities and the profound consequences this has on educational outcomes. We also delve into how the discipline gap and achievement gap are interconnected, highlighting how lost instructional time from suspensions severely impacts students, particularly those of color and those with disabilities.

TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE

Navigating the Landscape of Anti-Woke Culture in Special Education Research

Tue, 14 May 2024 13:30:47 GMT

This episode explores the challenges, perspectives, and implications of scholars engaging with the evolving issue of anti-woke culture in special education research. We interviewed Erica McCray, Associate Dean at the University of Florida College of Education, who sheds light on her experiences and provides guidance for working in an anti-woke environment. McCrae discusses the need to confront inequities and foster conversations within the field while emphasizing the importance of self-care and rest

TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE

Speaking of the Global South: A conversation with Maya Kalyanpur

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:33:04 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, host Federico Waitoller interviews Dr. Maya Kalyanpur about the term 'the Global South' and its importance for understanding inclusive education. Dr. Kalyanpur shares insights from her experiences teaching and conducting research in South Asia and translate her work into lessons for conducting education research in the USA that foregrounds equity and inclusion for students with disabilities and beyond.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Teaching Emergent Bilingual Students with Disabilities: A conversation with Patricia Martínez Álvarez

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 11:42:38 GMT

In this episode, we talked to Dr. Martínez Álvarez about how to best teach emergent bilingual students with disabilities so that their linguistic and ability repertoires are positioned as assets rather than deficits. We also discussed her latest book, Teaching Emergent Bilingual Students with Disabilities, in which Dr. Martínez Álvarez writes about what it means to adopt a humanistic approach to teaching and learning and how to train teachers to serve best emergent bilingual students with disabilities.

TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE

A conversation with Dr. Nathan Jones, the new commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 16:58:25 GMT

In this episode, we talk to the new National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) commissioner, Dr. Nathan Jones. We ask about how NCSER addresses equity, diversity, and inclusion issues, provide tips for those seeking funding in NCSER, and much more.

TRANSCRIPT EPISODE

Publishing in Exceptional Children: A Conversation with Endia Lindo and Kathleen King Thorius

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:36:01 GMT

In this episode, I talk to Endia Lindo and Kathleen King Thorius, two of the new editors of one of the most important journals in special education research: Exceptional Children. We discuss how the editorial team came together, their vision for the journal, and discuss advice for authors submitting papers, and much more.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Centering BIPOC mothers' narratives in special education research: A conversation with María Cioè-Peña

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:19:57 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, we converse with María Cioè-Peña about her research with BIPOC mothers of students with disabilities. We discuss the importance of centering these mothers' narratives in special education research and offer some guidance for designing research projects that privilege such narratives.

Transcript of Episode

S1. E5. Using Hip-hop pedagogy in special education research: A conversation with LaRon Scott, William Hunter, and Jonte' C Taylor

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:30:35 GMT

In this episode of DiveIn, I talk to LaRon Scott, William Hunter, and Jonte' C Taylor about their edited volume The Mixtape Volume 1: Culturally Sustaining Practices Within MTSS . We discuss how to use Hip-hop pedagogy in special education research to improve student learning and engagement. We also discuss the tensions that emerge from using culturally sustaining pedagogy with more traditional forms of special education research. LaRon, William, and Jonte end the episode with great recomendations for future of special education research.

Transcipt of Episode

Ep. 4: Back to the future: An interview with Beth Harry about the past, present, and future of diversity, equity, and inclusion in special education research

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:30:00 GMT

In this episode, Beth Harry talks about the evolution of how special education research has addressed, over time, issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Beth Harry shared her experiences and perspectives on DEI in special education research and gave advice to researchers engaging in DEI issues for students with disabilities.

Transcript of the episode.

Ep. 3: Positioning ourselves beyond listing identity markers: An interview with Mildred Boveda and Subini Annamma

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:19:11 GMT

In this episode, we discuss a topic much ignored in special education research: positionality. Who we are in relation to others, where we come from, how we see the world and the communities we work with, and the theories we subscribe to shape the ways we engage with research. Special education researchers are not the exception to this. To delve into this important topic, we talked to Mildred Boveda and Subini Annamma who recently published an article on the topic. Listen to our episode to learn how positionality and positioning shapes the way we generate questions, design studies, and interpret and communicate findings, and its implications for equity and justice in special education research. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Ep. 2: It's not just about numbers! Diversifying the special education teaching force: An Interview with Christopher Cormier

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 19:57:37 GMT

While special education students encompass a wide range of racial, cultural, linguistic, and gender backgrounds, the special education teacher force continue to be mostly White and female. In this episode, we talked to Dr. Christohper J. Cormier about how to diversify the special education teaching force. Dr. Cormier also talked about his experiences as a Black special education teacher in schools and provide recommendations for special education teacher preparation programs that can nurture and develop a justice-conscious special educators from minoritized background.

TRASNCRIPT OF EPISODE

Ep. 1: The Future of Education Research at IES, an interview with Alfredo Artiles

Tue, 23 May 2023 15:57:34 GMT

In this inaugural episode of DiveIn, we discuss the latest report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine providing guidance on the future of educational research at the Institute of Educational Sciences. We invited Dr. Alfredo Artiles, who was involved in the report, to discuss implications for equity and inclusion in special education research.

Transcript of the episode