The 1 in 5 students who learn and think differently deserve school communities that believe in their potential and are prepared to meet their needs. Sometimes these students have formally diagnosed disabilities and for others, these differences are undiagnosed, resulting in a lack of personalized support.

Students with learning differences who are also further marginalized by racism and poverty are especially vulnerable to the effects of school systems that are not designed to meet their needs. Yet, with the right instruction and support, research shows that the majority of students with learning differences have the potential to achieve outcomes at the same rate as their general education peers.

They need access to new school models, educators with the skills to create communities of belonging and provide instruction that works, and new content and tools designed for their unique needs. Students with learning differences are entitled to a great education that allows them to thrive — in and out of the classroom — and we all have the opportunity to make that possible. 

What We’re Looking For

As a result of what we’ve learned and the opportunities we see for innovation, we will invest in ideas that enhance teaching and learning for students with learning differences through our core  investment areas — Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions, and Teaching Reimagined — and make a small set of direct investments in critical opportunities that fall outside of these areas, including:

• Special education teacher recruitment and retention initiatives: Ideas that increase the number of highly qualified special education teachers in schools and improve retention rates by providing support throughout their careers 
• Professional development and instructional tools:  Professional learning and related tools designed to accelerate an educator’s ability to translate research into practice, create communities of belonging and improve outcomes for students with learning differences
• Postsecondary readiness solutions:  Experiential learning opportunities and transition support services uniquely designed for students with learning differences as they move through high school and prepare for college and career