special ed
noun
: classes for children who have special needs because of physical or learning problems
Examples of special ed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year the district contributed $134 million to special ed, which was $13 million over budget.
—
Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
In other news: New docs reveal JCPS special ed overhaul: The Jefferson County school board will vote on an overhaul of JCPS' Exceptional Child Education division, reducing days for almost half its roles.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
These ethical qualms are hardly unique to special ed; many have been raised in other fields and addressed by early-adopters.
—Seth King, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2026
Removing special ed would be a devastating blow to the disability community — not just because services might be curtailed, but philosophically, as well, Quick-Panwala said.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Read more: Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union says
Despite widespread speculation, the changes did not include the department's special education office, which USA TODAY first reported was almost eliminated last month.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
But the public school increase was mostly in the form of a bump in state support for special ed.
—Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Other officials in favor of these changes have criticized the existing process that families must navigate to access special ed as convoluted and inequitable.
—Julie Kim, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
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Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
In other news: New docs reveal JCPS special ed overhaul: The Jefferson County school board will vote on an overhaul of JCPS' Exceptional Child Education division, reducing days for almost half its roles.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Mar. 2026
These ethical qualms are hardly unique to special ed; many have been raised in other fields and addressed by early-adopters.
—Seth King, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2026
Removing special ed would be a devastating blow to the disability community — not just because services might be curtailed, but philosophically, as well, Quick-Panwala said.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Read more: Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union says
Despite widespread speculation, the changes did not include the department's special education office, which USA TODAY first reported was almost eliminated last month.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
But the public school increase was mostly in the form of a bump in state support for special ed.
—Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Other officials in favor of these changes have criticized the existing process that families must navigate to access special ed as convoluted and inequitable.
—Julie Kim, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Special ed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20ed. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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