Friday catch-up notes—2026-02-20
What tidbits didn't show up as a full post this week?
Editor’s note: This post contains snippets about stories, resources, and observations that the SET authors didn’t quite have time to develop into full-blown posts over the past week. I’m hoping we can catch up with our in-boxes. We didn’t want you, Dear Readers, to miss these snippets. Some of them may later appear as a part (or parcel) of a full-blown post.—JohnL
Holly Lane testified—On 10 February 2026, friend of SET, Professor Holly Lane, testified about reading research and instruction (“the science”) before the US House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Dear Readers probably will find her opening statement chocked full of familiar ideas. Other experts also presented informative statements; links are available at the Committee’s Web page for the hearing (there is video, too).
Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders—The venerable MSLBD has its annual symposium slated for 5-7 March 2026 in Kansas City (MO, US). They’ve got a keynote by Patrick Friman, long-time advocate for effective treatment of children and youths with EBD, and sessions by a a few people whose names—Sarah Powell, Erica Lembke, Jim Basham, Tim Landurm, Bev Johns, and Jose Blackorby—whom Dear Readers will likely recognize.
Linda Diamond published an analysis of administrative impediments to implementing effective practices—In “Part 1: The K-12 Courage Gap Among Principals and District Leaders: Why School Leaders are Failing Teaching and Learning,” Linda explained why she says “the reading wars are over or should be,” and that “the question isn’t whether we know what works; it’s why district leaders and principals lack the courage to mandate it. To fix this, we must dismantle the “Culture of Nice” that prioritizes adult comfort over student outcomes.” She explained. Read this one and get prepared for part 2!
Check back for more next week!