The Real Reason to 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?      Send your questions to [email protected] or message me online here.  Find products from the show on the shop page.   *As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.    More from The Pediatrician Next Door:    Website: Pediatrician Next Door Podcast  Instagram: @the_pediatrician_next_door  Facebook: facebook.com/wendy.l.hunter.75  TikTok: @drwendyhunter  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drwendyhunter    This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast  IG: @reddrockmusic  www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices