Bridging the Gap in Special Education Building More Inclusive and Effective Schools with Mitch Elatk

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges and advancements in special education with Mitch Elatkin, focusing on creating inclusive and effective schools.

For the more than 7.5 million students in the United States who receive special education services, access to a quality education is not just an aspiration—it is a legal right. Yet despite federal protections through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees students a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), significant disparities in access, quality, and outcomes continue to exist across the country. Today, approximately 15% of all public school students—more than one in every seven children—receive special education services, making this one of the most important issues facing public education today. In this episode of Let's Have This Conversation, I sit down with Mitch Elatkin, Senior Director of Specialized Services for ReGeneration Schools, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every child has access to a high-quality, college-preparatory education. ReGeneration Schools currently serves students through a network of schools in Chicago and Cincinnati, with a mission of developing values-driven leaders while preparing young people to lead free and fulfilling lives. Mitch oversees special education, Section 504 services, and related…

People in this episode

Host: Kevin McShan

Guest: Mitch Elatkin

Topics covered

• special education
• inclusive education
• public education
• educational disparities
• student services
• leadership in education

Keywords

• special education
• inclusive schools
• educational rights
• FAPE
• IDEA
• student access
• educational quality
• leadership
• ReGeneration Schools

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ReGeneration Schools, KIPP Public Schools, Noble Network of Charter Schools

Places: United States, Chicago, Cincinnati

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