Special Education Today newsletter 4(39)
Are you happy you missed some of this?
Hey, there, and howdy! This is the weekly newsletter for Special Education Today for the week ending 16 March 2024. It’s volume 4, number 39, and it is the 1232ndth post in the history of SET.
If you’re new to SET’s newsletters, here’s what you will be able to read (hear) in this issue: (a) a photo that may or may not be relevant to special education; (b) an update about the status of SET; (c) a list of posts from the previous week (with links to them); and (d) am editorial comment or such.
Image of the week
Readers who have been reading for a while may remember that in July of 2024 I posted a photo of a local area that is adjacent to the Rivanna Trail around Charlottesville. That photo showed a path that had a bit of overgrowth and a ribbon extended across it (see the SET newsletter of 29 July). Here is a more recent photo showing the same trail that has now been opened. I believe it is part of an effort to show visitors more about the natural state of the riverbanks along the Rivanna; the nearby segment of the trail is paved and closer to the river, itself.
If one aims a camera at the QR code on the post, it should link to a map of the entire trail that encircles C’ville.
Status notes
SET keeps chugging,1 We’re well over 800 subscribers, and there’s been a fair bit of activity in the past week, thanks to the following folks:
Sustaining support by Kathy M., Li-Yu H., & Mike G.
New support by Kristen McM. and Adam M.—Thank you!
New subs by [anon; and there were at least two of you!], Liz, Lisa F., Meaghan S., Helene J., Abzai, Robyn W, Chris C., David L., A. L., Linda O., Lisa F., Mary Lynn B., Liz B., Jess C., M. T., Alice C., James C., and Anatoly M.2
Comments by Tom Z., Paul C., and Joel M.; (they’re among the regulars in the comment domain, and I appreciate their contributions;
Restacks by Sandra D.;
Shares by Dan H., Keith L., Evans A., Tina C., and Cheryl Z. (big thanks, y’all!).
This week’s ersatz table of contents
Here is a catalog of the posts from the previous week.
Non-effects of COVID-19 on young children's development: Would you believe declines started before the pandemic?
Layoffs at US Department of Education announced: This post provides preliminary coverage
US ED layoffs: Coverage and opinions: What have reporters and editorializers had to say?
US Education Department Layoffs: Day 2: What happened since the announcements of 11 March 2025?
It's springing: What might I say about the metaphor?
SET meet-up!: Who would guess that a gang of SETters knew how to have some fun?
Repost of concerns about tiered systems: Do such efforts reflect a “billion dollar boondoggle?”
If you think you might have missed a mailing, you’re wondering whether I posted something but did’t send a mailing, you wonder what’s in the archives, or you just want to review something, you can go directly to SpecialEducationToday.com.
Editorial
I greatly appreciated the chance to hang with a few supporters of SET this past week. That little overnight trip took a good bit out of me. I’m just not accustomed to traveling as I once did.
Thank you to the members of this community who stopped me in a hall, lobby, or social event to say, “Hi.” It really warms the cold, prickly cockles of my aging heart to have folks say, “Hey! John Lloyd!”3
And a special thanks to all the supporting members of the community who either actually spent time at our “meet up” or sent regrets that they couldn’t make it. I’m talking about you, Bev J., Brenda L., Cheryl Z., Clay K., Dan H., Debbie R., Jane B., Jean S., Jen W., Kathy M., Larry M., Li-Yu H., Marilyn F., Michael G., Michael K., Mike N., Mitch Y., Paula D., Susan O., Tina C., and Vicki W. Please, everyone, watch for the next invitation to meet up (I think the consensus was we had some fun).
And every everyone (that’s not a typo), please remember to take care of yourselves, your family members, and friends—eat well, exercise, practice patience, drive carefully (with seatbelts affixed). And, of course, remember to teach your children well.
Giggles and grins,
JohnL
John Wills Lloyd, Ph.D., UVA Professor Emeritus
Founder & Editor, https://www.SpecialEducationToday.com/
Footnotes
I mean “chugging” as did the “Little Engine that Could,” not like the person raising a jug on his arm.
I apologize if I misrepresented names of some of you. Because subscribers sometimes provide no or limited info in their Substack profiles, I often only have email addresses from which to guess them.
Thank goodness lots of folks did not say, “Dr. Lloyd.”