The federal student loan portfolio – which manages about $1.6 trillion in loans for roughly 43 million borrowers – is currently overseen by the Education Department's office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption
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Kellen Hedler's classroom aid, Parker Van Buskirk, checks in with Kellen as he works on an assignment. Kellen is largely independent throughout the school day, but Van Buskirk is available in case he needs help. Katrina Ward for NPR hide caption
Margo Jimenez cries as she talks about the moment she realized her husband, Fred Jimenez, would never wake up. According to his death certificate, Fred died of "blunt force head injuries" on Feb. 17, 2024. His injuries were caused by a push from a student 10 days earlier. His death was ruled a homicide. Samuel Rocha IV/TPR hide caption
Why there's a shortage of staff to work with special education students
Some researchers say restraint and seclusion of children can cause long-lasting trauma and escalate negative behaviors. Kate Medley/KFF Health News hide caption
'I'm not safe here': Schools ignore federal rules on restraint and seclusion
"I hear that all the time, 'The children come first, the children come first,' " Fisher said. "We are going to put real muscle behind that statement," occupational therapist Debra Fisher, right, said in a StoryCorps interview with special education teacher Emma Pelosi. Courtesy of Debra Fisher and Emma Pelosi hide caption
Under Pandemic Stressors, NYC Special Ed Teams Vow To 'Put The Children First'
English Learners Were Hurt The Most When Texas Limited Special Education
Stephanie Johnson works with a student at the Renaissance Academy, a charter school in Lehi, Utah. Dan Krauss for NPR hide caption
Texas May Be Denying Tens Of Thousands Of Children Special Education
Children with special needs often feel targeted by peers at school. Social media can be a powerful tool to fight back. Martin Dimitrov/Getty Images hide caption
