IDEA at 50

Описание: Ohio's public schools are safe, welcoming learning environments for students of all backgrounds and abilities. But, only five decades ago, there was no guarantee that they could attend school or receive support to help them reach their full potential. That changed in late-1975 when the law that would become the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) became federal law. In this episode, we take a look at what has changed for students with disabilities over the last 50 years with educators who have dedicated their careers to serving that population of students - including one who was working in Ohio schools before IDEA codified students' rights to a free and appropriate education in the U.S.


JOIN OASNP | The Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals is a department within OEA that supports and advocates for OEA members who work with individuals with special needs. All OEA members are invited to join. Click here (https://www.ohea.org/join-oasnp/) to learn more about the benefits of joining OASNP and for a link to add OASNP to your OEA membership.

• All OEA members are also invited to attend the next OASNP annual conference:
• April 24-25, 2026
• Mohican State Park Lodge & Resort
• Click here to register

LEARN MORE | Click here (https://www.ohea.org/december-january...) to read the Ohio Schools magazine story on IDEA's 50th anniversary (Page 14). And, read this piece for more information from NEA: IDEA is 50 Years Old — And at Risk | NEA (https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-new...)


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Featured Public Education Matters guests: 

• Jené Wilson, OASNP Past Chair and Business Manager 
• Jené Wilson was a Teacher/Behavior Specialist with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities for 36 years, serving as president, vice president, Corresponding Secretary, and Recording Secretary for her local, the Association of Cuyahoga County Employees for Special Students (ACCESS), as well as holding numerous roles within OEA, NEOEA, and NEA during that time. Since retiring from the Board of DD, she has remained active in all levels of Association work. Wilson currently serves as NEOEA-R Representative to the OEA-R Advisory Council, as a delegate at the NEOEA, OEA, and NEA represenative assemblies, and on the NEOEA Board of Directors, among her other roles. Additionally, she continues to serve as the Business Manager for the Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals (OASNP), after serving as OASNP chairperson for five years and as OASNP vice-chairperson for 24 years before that. Since retiring in 2009, she taught at Notre Dame College for nine years and is currently supervising student teachers at Cleveland State. 
• Nikki Nadasky, OASNP Chair
• Nikki Nadasky has been a Service and Support Administrator for the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities for 14 years, as well as Portage County Education Association for Developmental Disabilities union president and acting Chair of OASNP. Prior to becoming chair, Nadasky was vice chair and also was the group's secretary. She has worked for 23 years in total serving those with developmental disabilities and has met many wonderful people, for whom she has so much respect.  They have shown Nadasky to live life with perseverance.

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