Education in the United States is undergoing profound shifts, shaped by evolving policies, funding priorities, and political movements. However, there are concerns that these changes have lost sight of what public education is in the United States – ensuring that every student—regardless of ability, background, or socioeconomic status—has access to a high-quality education.
Our Story: A Vision for Inclusion
When Changing Perspectives was established in 2013, our goal was simple yet powerful: to create learning environments where every student, regardless of background or ability, feels a sense of belonging. At the core, this is about looking at diversity as an asset, providing equal opportunities for all, and intentionally cultivating inclusive communities. Initially focused on K-12 schools, we quickly realized that our mission extended beyond the classroom. Inclusion is not just an educational value—it is a societal imperative.
Over the last decade, Changing Perspectives has collaborated with hundreds of schools and organizations worldwide to build cultures of empathy and understanding. Through curriculum resources, family workshops, professional development, virtual coaching, and site visits, we equip educators and school leaders with the tools to drive systemic change, fostering inclusive spaces where every voice matters.
The Inspiration Behind Changing Perspectives
The vision for Changing Perspectives is deeply personal. Founder Sam Drazin was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder that shaped his experience as a student who physically looked different and emotionally felt different from his peers. His journey through the education system inspired him to become a teacher and, later, an international changemaker for inclusion.
During his time as an elementary school teacher, Sam saw firsthand the challenges that students with disabilities and other marginalized identities faced in traditional learning environments. He quickly recognized a gap in how schools addressed inclusion—not just in physical accessibility but in fostering a culture of empathy, representation, and belonging.
Determined to make a difference, Sam founded Changing Perspectives to help educators and students develop the skills and mindsets needed to embrace diversity and create more inclusive learning environments. What began as a small-scale initiative has since grown into a leading organization dedicated to reimagining education through the lens of equity and social-emotional learning.
A Legacy of Inclusion: How We Got Here
The movement toward inclusive education has been shaped by landmark legal milestones that continue to define the rights of students with disabilities:
- 1975 – The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Later reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this law established the foundation for inclusive education, mandating that students with disabilities receive equal access to public schooling. It ensured that children with disabilities could learn alongside their peers whenever possible rather than being placed in separate institutions. - Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) – A Core Principle of IDEA
The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principle mandates that students with disabilities be educated to the greatest extent appropriate in general education settings. Schools must provide necessary support and accommodations to help students thrive in inclusive classrooms. This principle remains central to special education law today. - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – Ensuring Equal Access
Section 504 prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in public schools. It requires that schools provide reasonable accommodations—such as extended test time, accessible classrooms, and assistive technology—to ensure equal educational access. This law also protects students who may not qualify for IDEA services but still require support. - Today – IDEA and Ongoing Impact
Over time, IDEA has expanded protections for students with disabilities, ensuring they receive Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. While IDEA has made significant strides, challenges remain, including funding gaps, staffing shortages, and evolving student needs. Schools continue to work toward full compliance with IDEA, but ongoing policy shifts threaten to roll back progress.
Additional Laws Supporting Students with Disabilities
- 1990 – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including education. It applies to public and private schools, colleges, and universities, ensuring that schools provide reasonable accommodations to guarantee equal access to education. - 2004 – Assistive Technology Act
The AT Act ensures that students with disabilities have access to assistive technology that supports learning. It provides funding for state programs that help schools and families access adaptive tools like speech-to-text software, communication devices, and other learning aids. - 2008 – Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)
The HEOA expands access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. It requires colleges and universities to provide accessible materials, services, and accommodations and encourages institutions to establish inclusive programs for students with intellectual disabilities. - 2015 – Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind and emphasizes accountability for students with disabilities. It requires states to track and report the academic progress of students with disabilities and provides funding for inclusive education programs and teacher training.
The Impact in Numbers
The real-world impact of these policies is evident in today’s schools:
- 7.5 million students between the ages of 3 and 21 received special education services under IDEA during the 2022–23 school year (National Center for Education Statistics).
- These numbers underscore the critical need for well-trained educators, sufficient resources, and policies that foster inclusive learning environments.
Navigating Shifts in Education Policy
Inclusion of all students (with and without disabilities) is not just an aspiration—it is a fundamental right. However, recent policy shifts and political agendas are challenging this. Changing Perspectives remains steadfast in our commitment to equity and ensuring that ALL students thrive.
School Choice Policies: A Double-Edged Sword
The current administration’s emphasis on school choice threatens equitable access to high-quality education and intervention supports—especially for students with disabilities. While these policies expand options for families, they also risk deepening disparities by diverting public funding away from traditional public schools.
For students receiving special education services, this could mean inconsistent access to essential support programs across different school models. We believe that public schools should remain adequately funded to ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve.
The Elimination of DEI Programs
The Department of Education has mandated that schools and colleges eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs or risk losing federal funding. This follows a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting race-based considerations in college admissions and now extends to hiring, financial aid, and institutional policies.
Many educators fear that without these programs, schools will struggle to provide necessary frameworks that support diverse learners, including students with disabilities.
To enforce this directive, the U.S. Department of Education launched the End DEI Portal, where institutions must report compliance with DEI eliminations. This portal aims to facilitate the transition away from DEI-related programs while ensuring adherence to federal guidelines. We oppose the rollback of DEI programs, as they play a critical role in creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students.
Social-Emotional Learning Under Scrutiny
Social-emotional learning has long been recognized as a crucial component of student development, fostering emotional regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making. However, SEL has become increasingly politicized, with debates linking it to broader discussions on gender politics and critical race theory.
While some states fully integrate SEL, others have imposed restrictions or redefined its scope, leading to unequal access for students. Amid an escalating youth mental health crisis, SEL programs are more critical than ever. We stand by the importance of SEL in fostering emotionally resilient students and oppose efforts to undermine its role in education.
Department of Education Restructuring: Decentralization and Its Risks
Education Secretary Linda McMahon will lead the current administration’s proposed decentralization of the Department of Education. If enacted, this shift might grant greater control to state and local governments. While the intention is to increase local autonomy, this shift raises concerns about disparities in educational quality and resource allocation across different states and districts.
Decentralization could lead to inconsistencies in access to specialized education services, with some areas benefiting from increased autonomy while others struggle with resource limitations. We believe a strong federal role in education is necessary to ensure consistent and equitable access to resources for all students, regardless of location.
Our Mission: Driving Meaningful Change in Education
At Changing Perspectives, we believe that education should be a pathway to understanding, connection, and empowerment. Our mission is to promote social-emotional learning and inclusive practices that create equitable learning communities where every student can thrive.
Through our holistic suite of services, we equip educators with the tools to create learning environments that prioritize inclusion, empathy, and social-emotional growth. Our holistic model strengthens entire communities and prepares young minds for a future where empathy, resilience, and understanding are at the core of success.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Inclusive Education
Education is at a crossroads. At Changing Perspectives, we remain dedicated to championing these values and standing against policies that undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Together, we will continue to champion the transformative power of inclusion—now and always.
