October Policy News Round-Up

In October, we celebrated Learning Disabilities Awareness Month with a Congressional Resolution and held the first annual NCLD LD Summit! USED also released an important guidance document about the use of AI in education. Lear more about what NCLD did in October.

Congress Celebrates LD Awareness Month with Official Resolutions

Resolutions were introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate acknowledging October as Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) thanks Rep. Julia Brownley, Rep. Erin Houchin. Sen. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Ted Budd for introducing these bipartisan resolutions in their respective chambers. In a press release from Rep. Brownley’s office on the resolution, NCLD CEO Jacqueline Rodriguez said “Learning Disabilities Awareness Month is a time to shine a light on and celebrate the strength and tenacity of those with learning disabilities. This resolution is an important step in advancing equity and ensuring every student has the tools, resources, and support to reach their full potential…Together, we are calling on states and districts to continue to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities and ensure access to a free and appropriate public education.” 

NCLD Hosts First Annual LD Summit

NCLD hosted our first annual LD Summit October 7 in Washington, DC, bringing together educators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates for a day of meaningful discussion on the future of learning disabilities in the United States. At the Summit, NCLD released a snapshot of key insights from the highly anticipated latest edition of the State of Learning Disabilities: Navigating the Transition to Adulthood. The report explores factors influencing young adults with learning disabilities as they graduate from high school, enter postsecondary education, and begin their careers. The LD Summit also featured a range of engaging discussions and expert panels, which brought together experts to explore the intersection of research and real-world application. The event concluded on October 8th, with a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill. Members of NCLD’s Family Leadership Council, Young Adult Leadership Council, Professional Advisory Board, and Board of Directors joined together to meet with lawmakers and push forward important policy priorities for the LD community. 

U.S. Department of Education Releases New AI Guidance

Educators and industry leaders have sought clear and standardized recommendations from the federal government as the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow. In response, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) released a guidance document for school leaders on the use of AI in K-12 education. The guidance stressed the importance of ensuring aI tools are implemented ethically and responsibly in ways that prioritize student privacy and equity. USED also encouraged schools to integrate AI to support while taking care to avoid potential biases and data security issues while using the technology. 

State Spotlight: Education Measures On the Ballot

In addition to the President and their Members of Congress, individuals across the country are also voting on education issues in their states through ballot measures. In Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska, school choice is on the ticket, while in Massachusetts, voters will decide whether to drop the state’s standardized “exit exam” graduation requirement. In other states, ballot measures propose changes to education funding. Local elections for school boards and other positions will also impact the educational landscape in 2025.

In Case You Missed It:

  • Bellwether released a new report analyzing special education spending at federal, state, and local levels. 
  • NCLD along with other education and civil rights partners released memos about the federal and state transition process to help leaders build effective strategies related to their key education priorities as they prepare for new administrations. 
  • NCLD CEO Jacqueline Rodriguez participated in a webinar hosted by the Center for American Progress on Leveraging Technology to equip Leveraging Technology To Equip K-12 Students for Success.
  • The Consortium for Constituents for Disabilities Education Taskforce released a letter opposing the Educational Choice for Children Action of 2024, a voucher program that could negatively impact students under IDEA.