IASP Advocacy Podcast 8.22.25

Dear IASP Members,

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for the IASP Advocacy Podcast — your go-to for education policy, leadership insight, and what’s next in Indiana and beyond.

This week, I sat down with Denise Funston, Director of Exceptional Needs for Community Schools of Frankfort, to talk all things special education. We dive into:

• Indiana’s new IEP process and PowerSchool implementation

• The biggest challenges in rollout and how schools are adapting

• Strategies for addressing special education staffing shortages

• Tips for school leaders on working most effectively with special education staff

• Denise’s perspective on what she’d change if she had a “magic wand” to remove barriers for students and educators

This conversation offers practical insights for principals and a deeper understanding of what’s happening in special education across Indiana.