Resilience-building digital games to help students with autism | Music program brings together students of all abilities | National teacher finalists share burnout prevention tips
 
February 6, 2026
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Curriculum & Instruction
 
Resilience-building digital games to help students with autism
The Level Up Happiness project at Dartmouth College's play2PREVENT Lab is developing digital health games for students with autism with a $755,000 grant from Proof Positive. The accessible games aim to complement existing interventions by homing in on emotional resilience and social confidence, while prioritizing privacy and following strict academic research protocols.
Full Story: Government Technology (2/4)
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Music program brings together students of all abilities
Elizabeth Morales, a music teacher at Felix Varela High School in Miami, has created Unified Beats, a program that brings together special needs and general education students to make music. The initiative has fostered friendships and inclusivity, with students using buckets as instruments initially due to funding constraints. Principal Adrian Sanchez and parents have praised the program for its positive impact on students' social and emotional development.
Full Story: WSVN-TV (Miami) (2/5)
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Strategies to foster inclusivity for special needs students
Julie Thompson, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, has created "blueprints for belonging" that offer educators practical strategies to create more inclusive classrooms for students with disabilities. These blueprints encourage teachers to move beyond the idea of separate caseloads and to embrace the mindset that all students are "our children." By fostering comfort and familiarity among students with different needs, teachers can better integrate them into classroom activities and cultivate a sense of belonging for everyone.
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Unleashing EdTech's Potential for Schools
The ENCORE program dismantles barriers between edtech R&D and classrooms, fostering synergy to explore edtech's transformative effect on education. See the change in SmartBrief's Q&A with Digital Promise's Shayla Cornick.
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Educational Leadership
 
National teacher finalists share burnout prevention tips
Finalists for the National Teacher of the Year award share strategies for preventing burnout, emphasizing the importance of finding joy, building meaningful connections and prioritizing self-care. They highlight the need for administrators to create supportive environments, trust teachers and value their time, as well as encourage project-based learning and advocate for students.
Full Story: Education Week (2/4)
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Technology Trends
 
 
Bill would put 45-minute limit on Mo. students' screen time
Missouri Independent (Jefferson City) (2/4)
 
 
 
 
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Policy News
 
Schools struggle with 504 student identification
Schools are experiencing significant challenges in accurately identifying students who qualify for Section 504 plans. The broader definition of disability under Section 504, compared to IDEA, has led to both over- and under-identification. Over-identification results in unnecessary allocation of limited resources and increased administrative burden, while under-identification leaves schools vulnerable to legal claims for failing to recognize eligible students.
Full Story: eSchool News (2/6)
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Florida considers cameras in classrooms
Florida Phoenix (Tallahassee) (2/4)
 
Kindergarten readiness shows income-based disparities
Kindergarten readiness varies significantly by income, according to data from the National Survey for Children's Health. While nearly two-thirds of children are reported as ready for kindergarten, there is a 20% gap between the poorest and wealthiest families. Programs such as San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA aim to bridge this gap by offering free high-quality preschool to low-income families. However, demand often exceeds supply.
Full Story: EdSource (2/5), The Associated Press (2/5)
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SmartBreak: Question of the Day
 
Look, I'll back whoever came up with Feb. 7 as Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. What's the best-selling flavor of ice cream, according to a survey of data from Instacart?
VoteButter Pecan
VoteChocolate
VoteStrawberry
VoteVanilla
 
 
 
 
ICYMI
 
 
29 formative assessment strategies for classroom success
Edutopia (1/30)
 
 
Montessori concepts for enhancing student independence
Edutopia (1/29)
 
 
Classroom management tips not taught in teacher prep
Edutopia (1/29)
 
 
 
 
About the editor
 
Meet Lilla Ross
 
Meet Lilla Ross
(Lilla Ross)
Lilla Ross is editor of SmartBrief for Special Education and newsletters about higher education and literacy. She studied journalism under David McHam at Baylor University. She spent her career at The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, where she was an award-winning reporter and editor. She also has freelanced for magazines and written and designed books. She can be reached at lilla.ross@futurenet.com.
 
 
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