SELS 2025: Advocates Unite for the Future of Special Education

“This year’s Special Education Legislative Summit was especially meaningful as it was our largest SELS ever, bringing together passionate advocates from across the country,” said Julie Bost, president of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). “We united with a powerful voice to champion critical issues—including appropriations, mental health, and the educator shortage—in hopes of making a lasting impact on policymakers and the future of special education.”

Held in Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., the 2025 Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS) brought more than 300 special educators, administrators, higher education faculty, students, and others together for training and advocacy. The event was co-hosted by CEC and the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE).

CASE President Kevin Rubenstein reflected on the momentum of the event. “The energy throughout the week was inspiring. Our shared purpose was clear: to elevate the voices of students with disabilities.”

“Among our attendees were large, energized teams from Virginia, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida, each bringing powerful perspectives from their state and strengthening our collective presence in Washington. Thanks to their efforts, along with many others, we reached nearly 50 percent of congressional offices in just one day,” Rubenstein added. “That kind of coordinated outreach sends a strong message and shows what is possible when we work together.”

Natalie Gosdin, Director of Special Services for Searcy Public Schools in Arkansas, represented her state for the fourth time at this year’s SELS. “This year's SELS was meaningful for our team as we are entering times in our country and state that are unprecedented,” she said.  I felt a huge sense of responsibility to the families and the employees that I work with daily to make sure we can keep providing great services for our students and to make sure that [each educator] will have a job.”

Gosdin’s team shared three key priorities with lawmakers on Capitol Hill: educator shortages, appropriations, and mental health. “[Educator shortages] is wildly important in our state,” she said. “Other, more rural districts in our state have begun hiring teachers from the Philippines to fill vacancies where they have no applicants.”

“Everything we want to do for our students requires money,” Gosdin continued. “Without fully funding IDEA, districts spend a lot of their state and local dollars... while our federal funding is only minimal in provision.”

“SELS empowers educators and advocates by equipping them with clear messaging, timely data, and real-world examples,” said CEC President Bost. “Through professional learning opportunities, collaboration, and direct engagement with lawmakers, participants gain the confidence and tools to share their stories effectively – turning personal experiences into powerful advocacy that has the potential to drive meaningful change in special education.”

Rubenstein emphasized that the Summit is just the beginning. “Our work cannot stop here. We must take the momentum of this week and turn it into year-round action.”

Bost agreed. “I encourage supporters to stay engaged year-round by meeting with local legislators, sharing stories on social media, and utilizing CEC’s advocacy tools to maintain our momentum.”