A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education

It's time for our mid-season break! But first, who loves those fun Facebook polls? We do- so get to know us a little better.  Be back in 2024! Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Tune in this week to hear Robin, Angela and Abby respond to a listener question about how to work with professional advocates.  The discussion ranges from the logistics and details of how to incorporate an advocate into the dialogue to the emotions and feelings that advocacy can raise in school staff. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Foll...

During this episode, Robin and Angela talk about how to manage severe food allergies in school. MA DESE guidance FAACT- 504 guidance Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they discuss emergency removals and the latest discipline stats from the Discipline and Behavior Blog Series from the OSEP website. Discipline and Behavior -Blog Series Discipline Dear Colleague Letter (2022) 5 Action Steps To Reduce exclusionary discipline Resources (keep digging through the links!) Valerie C Williams Please tell us how you found us by completing th...

The recent events in Israel left This week's episode is a reminder to listen to S2 Episodes 18 and 19 for tips on how to speak with students about difficult events. Talking to students about crises Planning ahead for emergencies Greater Good: How to talk with your child about the war in Gaza and Israel Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.co...

**sorry for the weird ending- editing got a little funky this week** In this episode Robin, Angela and Abby answer a listener question involving if services are tied to a specific disability, when is it a good idea to terminate speech services for a student with autism and how related services are provided in an online school setting. MA technical guidance: 8/25/06 Please tell us how you found us...

Join Abby, Robin and Angela as they discuss the Massachusetts high stakes competency exam required for a high school diploma (MCAS exam) with Laura Gillis , parent side special education attorney. There is a movement by parents and the MA Teacher's Union to end it as a diploma requirement while at the same time, DESE is proposing to raise the bar for proficiency. Here are some articles to rea...

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the protections and supports available for students who are experiencing Homelessness. They discuss the  ins and outs of the Federal Law that governs this topic - The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Guidance and Resources McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance — Advisories  DESE Guidance on Data Collection Guidance on Fixed, Regular, and Ad...

Check out the American Player’s Theater’s clip for Romeo and Juliet as "Unified Theater " Mass Dept of Ed’s web-based training resources for curriculum diversification https://www.doe.mass.edu/rlo/psm/civilrights-toolkit/index.html#/ Book Lists Galore! https://www.nypl.org/blog/2022/02/22/kids-books-disability-difference https://www.rebekahgienapp.com/childrens-books-disability/ https://...

A big part of safeguarding a Student and a Parent's rights is the provision of Prior Notice. Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby debate and discuss when that notice is legally required and when it is just a very very very good idea. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby discuss the very real gender dynamics at play in our field and the implications for hiring and retaining the next generation of awesome special education teachers and related service providers. We referenced several historical timelines and recent articles in our discussion - if you are interested in learning more here are some places to start: Ed Week's re...

Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they discuss 10 common logical fallacies that come up in Team meetings and interactions with staff/parents. There are a bunch of these floating online but here is the one we used in the pod! Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the real impact belonging can have on student achievement, the absurdity of anti-affinity group lawsuits and answer a listener question on calculating minutes. Happy Back to School and Back to Reality.... Some resources discussed this episode with references to the research cited: Creating Academic Belonging in the Classroom Affirming Disability: Strengt...

Welcome back! Join Abby, Robin and Angela as they begin season 4 and provide some helpful tips to get back into school.  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

We are closing out school year 22-23 with our final podcast in Season 3. Join Abby, Robin and Angela as they share what's in store with them next year.  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Angela couldn't make it and we couldn't end season 3 without her, so Abby and Robin are sharing some reminders to think about as the end of year approaches. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!! Check out New York State's comprehensive Exit Summary training slide deck  Here is a great handout on Indicator 14 and tracking Post School Outcomes Please tell us how you found us by completing...

Listen as Robin, Abby and Angela review the movie Champions Other points of view: Roger Ebert Interview with Bobby Farrelly Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Join Angela, Abby and Robin as they answer listener questions. If you have a question, send us an email at ASTALpodcast@gmail.com Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

We are welcoming Laura Gillis back to the podcast to talk about discipline trends she is observing in schools. If you need a refresher on the discipline laws, go back and listen to our 3 part discipline podcasts from season 2  Discipline #3 Discipline #2 Discipline #1 Also- there was something funky going on with the editing software so I apologize if this sounds glitchy! Please tell us how you fo...

It is that time of year. Evaluation timelines in schools often hinge on key dates and March/April and May are busy times for rehiring (and not rehiring) decisions. Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby discuss what they look for in good evaluators and effective evaluations. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodca...

Life got in the way and we couldn't get a new episode recorded for this week so please enjoy an encore episode from S1. We'll be back next week with a new episode! Robin/Abby/Angela The Extraordinary Att. Woo  (Netflix) Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss and debate the realities of budgets, last minute spring evaluation requests, ESY and how they think about extended time on the SAT's! Click HERE for  the Massachusetts Q and A on Extended School Year (ESY) considerations. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Listen in on this two part podcast. First, we hear from a real student about their perspective on the controversy stirred up by the NYT article on parent notification related to student gender.  Then the discussion shifts to reflect on the life and legacy of Judy Heumann who was a pioneer in the disability rights movement. Her website shares more detail about her accomplishments and life. Check ou...

Schools can't solve all of society's needs, but we sure do get asked to try!  Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss recent data and ideas for "post pandemic" mental health services in schools for students and staff. Here are some of the resources discussed in the pod: Where Do We Go From Here? How K-12 Schools Can Support The Mental Health Of Students And Educators Exampl...

Valentine's Day is coming...are you celebrating it in school? Join us as we discuss the pandora's box of observing holidays in school. American society is becoming more diverse and so are our public schools. More and more districts are grappling with the need to rethink the holidays celebrated by Districts and in classrooms. There are lots of opinions on this topic. Take a listen as Robi...