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DiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesThe Disproportionality Series Part 1: A Conversation with Paul Morgan 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...
2026-01-081h 26DiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesTwo Camps, One Question: How Should We Understand Interventions in Special Education?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.
2025-12-1855 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesIDEA at 50: Is Policy Compliance Enough to Address Disproportionality? 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 th...
2025-12-0149 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesKnock Knock! Is there anybody left in the Office of Special Education Services ?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 ChildrenCEC Position on the federal role on educationEpisode Transcript
2025-10-2028 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesLearning to Live Together Ep. 4 Season Finale 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...
2025-10-161h 02DiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesEmpowering Disabled Educators: Breaking Barriers in Special EdThis 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
2025-09-2552 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesDiveIn Miniserie: Learning to Live Together Part 3In 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...
2025-09-1735 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesDiveIn Miniserie: Learning to Live Together Part 2 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...
2025-08-2515 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesDiveIn Miniserie: Learning to Live Together Part 1In 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 di...
2025-07-1125 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesUpdates on the Becerra Case, The Department of Education, and the Big Beautiful? BillIn 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
2025-06-2634 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesThe Promise and Peril of Charter Schools for Students with DisabilitiesIn 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 resh...
2025-05-081h 00DiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesWhat’s Really Happening at the Department of Education? How Policy Shifts Threaten IDEAIn 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
2025-04-0850 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesBeyond the Hype: AI, Disability, and Equity in EducationIn 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 TH...
2025-03-2454 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesIs Section 504 Under Threat? Diving into the State of Texas Vs Becerra CaseIn 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 EpisodesWhat Does a Trump Administration Mean for Special Education?School Vouchers and Students with DisabilitiesTranscript of Episode 7
2025-03-0633 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesDiveIn Trailer This is the trailer for DiveIn.
2025-02-2100 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesDismantling de Department of Education: Implications for Students with DisabilitiesThis is a clip from episode four in which Mitch Yell and David Bateman talk about the implications of dismantling the Department of Education. Transcript
2025-02-1306 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesSchool Vouchers and Students with Disabilities: A Conversation with Kevin WelnerIn 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 TRANSCRIPTListen also to...
2025-01-2956 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesWhat does a Trump Administration Mean for Special Education? A Conversation with Mitchell Yell and David BatemanIn 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
2024-12-2054 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesWhat Are Technical Assistance Centers? A Conversation with Seena SkeltonDo 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
2024-12-0141 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesThe Unique Experience of Black Students with Autism and their Families: A Conversation with Jamie PearsonIn 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
2024-10-1731 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesTackling the Special Education Teacher Shortage: A conversation with Elizabeth BettiniIn 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
2024-09-2040 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesDismantling the School Discipline Gap: A Conversation with Dan LosenIn 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
2024-07-0449 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesNavigating the Landscape of Anti-Woke Culture in Special Education ResearchThis 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 restTRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE
2024-05-1437 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesSpeaking of the Global South: A conversation with Maya KalyanpurIn 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
2024-02-2637 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesTeaching Emergent Bilingual Students with Disabilities: A conversation with Patricia Martínez Álvarez 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
2024-02-0541 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesA conversation with Dr. Nathan Jones, the new commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research 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
2023-12-2739 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesPublishing in Exceptional Children: A Conversation with Endia Lindo and Kathleen King Thorius 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
2023-11-3041 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesCentering BIPOC mothers' narratives in special education research: A conversation with María Cioè-Peña 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
2023-10-3137 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesS1. E5. Using Hip-hop pedagogy in special education research: A conversation with LaRon Scott, William Hunter, and Jonte' C TaylorIn 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
2023-10-0453 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesEp. 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 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.
2023-08-2846 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesEp. 3: Positioning ourselves beyond listing identity markers: An interview with Mildred Boveda and Subini AnnammaIn 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...
2023-07-2546 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing DebatesEp. 2: It's not just about numbers! Diversifying the special education teaching force: An Interview with Christopher CormierWhile 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
2023-06-2847 minDiveIn: Diving into Special Education's Most Complex and Pressing Debates Ep. 1: The Future of Education Research at IES, an interview with Alfredo ArtilesIn 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
2023-05-2333 min
New Books in EducationFederico R. Waitoller, "Excluded by Choice: Urban Students with Disabilities in the Education Marketplace" (Teachers College Press, 2020)In this episode, I speak with Federico R. Waitoller about his book, Excluded by Choice: Urban Students with Disabilities in the Education Marketplace (Teachers College Press). This book highlights the challenges faced by students of color who have special needs and their parents who evaluate their educational options.We discuss the services to which students with disabilities are entitled, how they are manifested in neighborhood and charter schools, and how they may be in tension with practices sometimes found in schools marketing themselves based on high test scores and college enrollment numbers. You can follow him on...
2020-09-0943 min
New Books in Disability StudiesFederico R. Waitoller, "Excluded by Choice: Urban Students with Disabilities in the Education Marketplace" (Teachers College Press, 2020)In this episode, I speak with Federico R. Waitoller about his book, Excluded by Choice: Urban Students with Disabilities in the Education Marketplace (Teachers College Press). This book highlights the challenges faced by students of color who have special needs and their parents who evaluate their educational options.We discuss the services to which students with disabilities are entitled, how they are manifested in neighborhood and charter schools, and how they may be in tension with practices sometimes found in schools marketing themselves based on high test scores and college enrollment numbers. You can follow him on...
2020-09-0943 min
New Books in Urban StudiesFederico R. Waitoller, "Excluded by Choice: Urban Students with Disabilities in the Education Marketplace" (Teachers College Press, 2020)In this episode, I speak with Federico R. Waitoller about his book, Excluded by Choice: Urban Students with Disabilities in the Education Marketplace (Teachers College Press). This book highlights the challenges faced by students of color who have special needs and their parents who evaluate their educational options.We discuss the services to which students with disabilities are entitled, how they are manifested in neighborhood and charter schools, and how they may be in tension with practices sometimes found in schools marketing themselves based on high test scores and college enrollment numbers. You can follow him on...
2020-09-0943 min