The TED and CEC Collaboration Podcast

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog posts published during the week of June 8th, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:43) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Posts(00:20:55) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on June 3rd, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:20:10) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on May 18th, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:21:58) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on April 27th, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:24:05) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

Join us as we talk about empowering educators to advocate at the state level with Dr. Caitlin Criss from Georgia Southern University and Dr. Jennifer Sears from the University of North Georgia.

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on April 14th, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:48) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:20:44) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on March 30th, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:06:07) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on March 20th, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:19:32) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post published on February 23rd, 2026 by TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:20:24) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree⁠

This episode summarizes the Washington Update blog post written on February 8th, 2026 byTED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:41) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:13:47) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee LinktreeAACTE Resources

Dr. John Willis Lloyd, Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia School of Education at UVA and founder/editor of Special Education Today, joins us to discuss the past and current states of teacher education.(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:02:18) Part 2 - Interview with Dr. John Willis Lloyd(01:08:05) Part 3 - Outro

This episode summarizes the January 2026 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:40) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:18:28) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

In this episode we discuss life before IDEA with Kate Holthausen and Bill Gunther, who's sister was a child before schools were required to educate students with disabilities. Her niece, Dr. Jennifer Sears, also joins the discussion.

This episode summarizes the December 22nd, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:40) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:15:58) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

In today’s episode, we’re taking a look back at the history of special education in the United States with Dr. Sheila Bailey.(00:10) Introduction(00:59) Interview with Dr. Sheila Bailey(51:55) Outro

This episode summarizes the September 22nd, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:42) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:16:47) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode offers insight into the event that brought hundreds of people to Washington, D.C. in July to advocate for special education policy. Tune in to hear about the 2025 Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS).Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction(00:02:45) Part 2 - Interview with Drs. Claire Hughes and Fang Xu(01:01:29) Part 3 - Credits Special Education Legislative Summit⁠⁠⁠TED Policy and Advocacy Portal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Legislative Action Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠

This episode summarizes the August 25th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:39) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:18:46) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode summarizes the August 13th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Intro(00:42 Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:13:07) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode summarizes the July 8th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction (00:52) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:17:25) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode summarizes the June 30th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction (00:42) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:13:49) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode summarizes the June 24th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction (00:42) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:21:39) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

In this episode, hear from the lead authors of the JOSEP Special Issue for teaching and incorporating advocacy in educator preparation. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction(00:01:12) Part 2 - Interview with JOSEP Lead Authors (00:57:46) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:JOSEP Special Issue on Policy and AdvocacyJOSEP Speaks: AI-generated podcast summarizing each article ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode summarizes the June 2nd, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction (including a special note from Dr. Kait Brennan regarding the FY26 budget)(00:01:42) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:17:58) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee LinktreeCorrection: The audio in this podcast says "May 31st, 2025" blog instead of "June 2nd, 2025."

This episode summarizes the May 12th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction(00:00:39) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:13:40) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode summarizes the May 5th, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction(00:00:39) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:16:37) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TED Policy Committee Linktree

This episode is the fifth of a special series where the folks directly impacted by changes in the Department of Education, IDEA funding, research funding, and other executive orders share their stories. Tune in to hear from parent and advocate, Lacey Henderson. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction & Interview with Nancy Young(00:43:21) Part 2 - OutroResource Links:Estella's Wish Instagram: @estellas_wish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Department of Education Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is the fourth of a special series where the folks directly impacted by changes in the Department of Education, IDEA funding, research funding, and other executive orders share their stories. Tune in to hear from Nancy Young, PhD. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction & Interview with Nancy Young(00:32:11) Part 2 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Department of Education Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is the third of a special series where the folks directly impacted by changes in the Department of Education, IDEA funding, and other executive orders share their stories. Tune in to hear from parent and advocate, Ryan Digman. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction & Interview with Ryan Digman(00:56:49) Part 2 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Department of Education Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is the second of a special series where the folks directly impacted by changes in the Department of Education, IDEA funding, and other executive orders share their stories. Tune in to hear from parent and advocate, Colleen Diedrich. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction & Interview with Colleen Diedrich(00:35:39) Part 2 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Department of Education Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is the first of a special series where the folks directly impacted by changes in the Department of Education, IDEA funding, and other executive orders share their stories. Tune in to hear from parent and educator, Kendra Meiklejohn. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction & Interview with Kendra Meiklejohn(00:31:44) Part 2 - OutroResource Links:5 CallsMended HeartsGoods Unite Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Department of Education Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode summarizes the February 24, 2025 Washington Update blog post from TED Policy Advisor, Dr. Kait Brennan. Timestamps:(00:00) Part 1 - Introduction(00:00:34) Part 2 - AI Generated Summary of the Washington Update Blog Post(00:24:26) Part 3 - OutroResource Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register for the Virtual Washington Update⁠⁠Register for the CEC 2025 Convention⁠⁠U.S. Department of Education Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode explores the various functions of the U.S. Department of Education with Dr. Emily A. Frake. Timestamps: (00:00) Part 1 - Introduction (00:01:53) Part 2 - Interview with Dr. Emily A. Frake (00:46:42) Part 3 - Newsflash/Washington Updates Resource Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠⁠ Register for the Virtual Washington Update Register for the CEC 2025 Convention U.S. Department of Education Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠

This episode examines the vocabulary terms diversity, equity, inclusion, and transition in Special Education Policy and Research. Timestamps: (00:00) Part 1 - Interview with Drs. Mitchell Yell and Lysandra Cook (1:00:32) Part 2 - Definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and transition in special education (1:06:58) Part 3 - Newsflash/Washington Updates Resource Links: ⁠⁠Cultural Diversity | CEC IDEA Data Center's Equity Requirements IRIS Center | Module on Inclusive Education National Technical Assistance Center on Transition ⁠⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠⁠ Register for the Washing Update TED Conference Registration ⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠

Join us as our very own Caitlin Criss and Nancy Welsh-Young go behind the scenes at SELS! Timestamps: (00:00) Part 1 - Interview with (1:23:17) Part 2 - Interview with (1:27:45) Part 3 - Interview with ⁠⁠TED Policy and Advocacy Portal⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Legislative Action Center⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠CEC Convention⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Email Dr. Kaitlyn Brennan⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠

This episode provides five key skills for incorporating advocacy into higher education courses. Timestamps: (00:00) Part 1 - Interview with Dr. David Hoppey and Melissa Schettler (1:23:17) Part 2 - Advocacy Skills for Incorporating Advocacy in Higher Education Brief Translation (1:27:45) Part 3 - Newsflash/Washington Updates Resource Links: ⁠TED Policy and Advocacy Portal⁠⁠ ⁠Advocacy Brief 2: Incorporating Advocacy in Higher Education⁠ ⁠⁠Legislative Action Center⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Washington Updates⁠⁠ ⁠⁠CEC Convention⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Email Dr. Kaitlyn Brennan⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Share Your Story⁠ ⁠Episode Transcript⁠

This episode explores the wealth of resources provided by TED and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) to support educators and policymakers in their advocacy efforts. Timestamps: (00:00) Part 1 - Introduction & Advocacy Resources Brief Translation (05:33) Part 2 - Newsflash/Washington Updates (12:05) Part 3 - Interview with Advocacy Experts Dr. Kait Brennan and Lucky Mason-Williams Resource Links: TED Policy and Advocacy Portal Legislative Action Center Washington Updates Guiding Questions for Feedback on Teacher Prep CEC Convention Email Dr. Kaitlyn Brennan Share Your Story Episode Transcript