The Children's Institute HK

The Children’s Institute of Hong Kong (TCIHK) had the privilege of conducting a staff training session for the incredible staff at Ocean Park Hong Kong on 29th April, 2026.

A huge congratulations to 香港海洋公園 Ocean Park Hong Kong for empowering their staff and leading the charge toward a more accessible, supportive city for the autism community. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such great energy to the session!

The rising costs of special education in Minnesota, as recent state budget data suggests, are becoming increasingly challenging due to a surge in the number of students qualifying for services. Projected to rise by $1.7 billion by 2029, these costs are exacerbated by inflation and higher wages, alongside growing demands for staffing and transportation within special education programs. The significant increase observed in 2024 alone surpasses historical annual growth rates, marking a critical financial challenge for the state's education system.

With the student population requiring special education services expanding from 110,000 to 150,000 over the past decade, the state is now compelled to address not only the increased complexity of needs but also the staffing shortages that make meeting these needs even more daunting. For further insights on how Minnesota is navigating these rising demands amidst financial constraints, and the strategies being implemented to manage this growth, read the full article here: [https://buff.ly/3ZTHywU]

During the pandemic, schools struggled significantly with identifying students who required special education services. A new study focusing on Washington state highlights an urgent catch-up effort to address those who missed evaluations during the COVID-19 closures. According to the study by the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research at the American Institutes for Research, about 8,000 elementary school-aged students in Washington were not assessed for special education between March 2020 and March 2022. This represented a 20% decline from expected numbers. Recent updates, however, show a substantial recovery in identifications, suggesting efforts to rectify the backlog are in effect.

For a deeper dive into how these efforts are unfolding across the state and their implications for affected students, read the full analysis here: [https://buff.ly/4iBqtR1]

Illinois State University's College of Education, through its Department of Special Education (SED), is enhancing its commitment to inclusivity by offering new certifications and endorsements. These programs are designed to prepare both current and aspiring educators to more effectively address the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Among the offerings are a Minor in Learning and Behavior Specialist I (LBS I), a Director of Special Education (DOSE) Post-Master’s Certificate, a Behavior Intervention Graduate Certificate, and a Curriculum Adaptation Specialist Certificate. These programs aim to equip educators with the necessary skills to support all students, fostering an inclusive educational environment.

For more information on how these programs are set to influence the future of special education and to explore enrollment options, visit [https://buff.ly/3DlgPSg]