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Highlighter's
Special Education Blog

US map titled 2026 IDEA State Determinations, with states color-coded green, yellow, orange, and red; DC labeled.

US map titled 2026 IDEA State Determinations, with states color-coded green, yellow, orange, and red; DC labeled.

30 States Just Failed Special Education. Here's Why Nothing Will Happen.

Jul 147 min read

Paper-cut scene of a woman writing at a beachside table as swimmers, sailboat, palm trees, and a bright sunset fill the turquoise backdrop

Paper-cut scene of a woman writing at a beachside table as swimmers, sailboat, palm trees, and a bright sunset fill the turquoise backdrop

Back to School 2026: Your Child's IEP Rights Didn't Shrink. The Oversight Did.

Jul 65 min read

Paper collage of pink-and-yellow houses and a black hand pulling a small person between them on a teal background.

Paper collage of pink-and-yellow houses and a black hand pulling a small person between them on a teal background.

Special Education Is Moving Out of the Department of Education. Your Child's Rights Did Not Move With It.

Jun 225 min read

Paper cutout handshake: black hands between pink and yellow sleeves on a teal background, symbolizing agreement

Paper cutout handshake: black hands between pink and yellow sleeves on a teal background, symbolizing agreement

What It's Actually Like to Work With a Special Education Advocate

Jun 176 min read

Summer Is Not One Thing

Summer Is Not One Thing

Summer Is Not One Thing

May 278 min read

Confessions of a Special Education Advocate

Confessions of a Special Education Advocate

Confessions of a Special Education Advocate

May 146 min read

New Jersey Just Made Vague IEP Rights Concrete. Here's How to Use That in Any State.

New Jersey Just Made Vague IEP Rights Concrete. Here's How to Use That in Any State.

New Jersey Just Made Vague IEP Rights Concrete. Here's How to Use That in Any State.

Apr 287 min read

Yellow paper hand with pink scissors cuts a yellow dollar bill on a turquoise background, conveying themes of financial decisions.

Yellow paper hand with pink scissors cuts a yellow dollar bill on a turquoise background, conveying themes of financial decisions.

How Medicaid Cuts Will Affect Your Child's IEP Services (And What You Can Do About It)

Apr 76 min read

Special Education Due Process Hearings Surged 141% in One State. Here is What That is Costing Everyone.

Special Education Due Process Hearings Surged 141% in One State. Here is What That is Costing Everyone.

Special Education Due Process Hearings Surged 141% in One State. Here is What That is Costing Everyone.

Mar 308 min read

8.2 Million Kids, Fewer Protections: Why Special Education Advocates Are More Critical Than Ever

8.2 Million Kids, Fewer Protections: Why Special Education Advocates Are More Critical Than Ever

8.2 Million Kids, Fewer Protections: Why Special Education Advocates Are More Critical Than Ever

Mar 175 min read

Why Special Education Advocates Need a CRM Built for Them

Why Special Education Advocates Need a CRM Built for Them

Why Special Education Advocates Need a CRM Built for Them

Mar 167 min read

Your IEP Request Wasn't Ignored. It Was Buried.

Your IEP Request Wasn't Ignored. It Was Buried.

Your IEP Request Wasn't Ignored. It Was Buried.

Mar 36 min read

What Special Education Advocates Actually Charge in 2026

What Special Education Advocates Actually Charge in 2026

What Special Education Advocates Actually Charge in 2026

Feb 96 min read

IEP Cycle diagram with words “Document & Track,” “Review,” “Prepare,” and “Meet” on colorful arrows and shapes against a blue background.

IEP Cycle diagram with words “Document & Track,” “Review,” “Prepare,” and “Meet” on colorful arrows and shapes against a blue background.

AI IEP Advocacy Tools: Highlighter vs Expert IEP vs Arloa vs KidvoKit vs IEPAdvocate.ai

Jan 277 min read

A silhouette of a person walking up a mountain of paperwork labeled with things like IEP, Evaluation, and Prior written notice. They are climbing to a flag with the letters PTI, which stands for Parent Training and Information center. It demonstrates how PTI's provide a direction for families navigating special education.

A silhouette of a person walking up a mountain of paperwork labeled with things like IEP, Evaluation, and Prior written notice. They are climbing to a flag with the letters PTI, which stands for Parent Training and Information center. It demonstrates how PTI's provide a direction for families navigating special education.

Congress Created a Free Resource for Special Ed Families. They're called PTIs.

Jan 274 min read

Three Forces Reshaping Special Education in 2026

Three Forces Reshaping Special Education in 2026

Three Forces Reshaping Special Education in 2026

Jan 202 min read

How My Kid Went from Invisible to Understood

How My Kid Went from Invisible to Understood

How My Kid Went from Invisible to Understood

Jan 113 min read

Learning to Step Back Without Walking Away: Teaching our Kids to Self-Advocate for their IEP

Learning to Step Back Without Walking Away: Teaching our Kids to Self-Advocate for their IEP

Learning to Step Back Without Walking Away: Teaching our Kids to Self-Advocate for their IEP

Dec 16, 20254 min read

The Special Education System Is Overloaded. Here Is What Families Need to Know Now

The Special Education System Is Overloaded. Here Is What Families Need to Know Now

The Special Education System Is Overloaded. Here Is What Families Need to Know Now

Nov 26, 20253 min read

The Moment Everything Changed: A Parent’s Journey from Overwhelmed to Empowered

The Moment Everything Changed: A Parent’s Journey from Overwhelmed to Empowered

The Moment Everything Changed: A Parent’s Journey from Overwhelmed to Empowered

Nov 3, 20254 min read

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