Author: Aurora Dreger

April is Autism Acceptance Month. It’s a chance to move past “awareness” and focus on what autistic people and families need in real life: respect, access, and supports that make community life possible. In plain language: Autism acceptance means removing barriers so autistic people can belong and participate, without pressure to hide who they are. Autistic…

This article was written and published by Alex Shultz  — July 7th, 2025 These administrators share how they approach the difficult task of fostering an enriching, inviting environment for students and staff. School culture can seem nebulous: What constitutes a positive, supportive school culture? Or a “bad” school culture? Answers vary among school leaders, who…

This article was written and published by Ellen Ullman — July 10th, 2025 As classrooms across America become increasingly diverse, with growing populations of multilingual learners and students from various cultural backgrounds, school districts face a critical challenge: selecting educational technology that truly serves all students. According to the latest data from the National Center for…

Executive Summary text Introduction text Glossary of Key Terms text Uphold Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities Principle:  Actionable Steps Protect Student Privacy Principle:  Actionable Steps Foster Transparency and Collaboration Principle:  Actionable Steps Procure and Adopt AI Responsibly Principle:  Understanding Two Distinct Processes: Procurement and Adoption Procurement Adoption Actionable Steps for Procurement Actionable Steps for…

Written by Aurora Dreger, Project Director, Educating All Learners Alliance Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC). I was there to represent the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA) not just as a curious attendee, but as a presenter for two distinct sessions that highlighted the current…

Written by Aurora Dreger, Project Director, Educating All Learners Alliance As a new year dawns and I reflect on my first full year as the EALA Project Director, I am filled with overwhelming gratitude for the committed community I have the honor to lead. By design, EALA is an “uncommon coalition,” bringing together a diverse…

Written by Aurora Dreger, Project Director, Educating All Learners Alliance November 29th marked the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It’s not just a date on a calendar; it’s a moment to reaffirm that the protection of students with disabilities is a non-negotiable civil and human right, and a guarantee that…

The All Learners Action Lab is an exclusive, virtual learning accelerator for education leaders. We move past discussion to documenting best practices for students with learning differences. It’s where the field’s most innovative teams gather to refine their work and co-create the high-leverage solutions that EALA then publishes for the world. Designed to bring past…

This article was written by Mia Ives-Rublee, et al., and published by the Center for American Progress on November 14th, 2025. Fifty years after the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act transformed special education services for children with disabilities, it is important to both celebrate its legacy and confront the urgent work still needed to fulfill…