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98 Special Education From National News to Local Perspectives

Advocacy Bites

Release Date: 11/11/2025

98 Special Education From National News to Local Perspectives show art 98 Special Education From National News to Local Perspectives

Advocacy Bites

In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book detail what Susan is seeing on the local level and how that relates to national issues in special education. We dive deep into the state of special education—from alarming local stories in Wake County to the broader national challenges facing students with disabilities. Susan shares her family’s personal journey through the trauma of restraint and seclusion practices in schools, shedding light on the policies, data gaps, and systemic failures that continue to harm vulnerable students. Together, Renee and Susan...

info_outline 97 The Problem of Nothing? show art 97 The Problem of Nothing?

Advocacy Bites

Susan discusses Medicaid cut impacts on our families and schools while Renee does a deep dive on what is going on with the University system. In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book dig into what happens when the North Carolina legislature simply… does nothing. From stalled Medicaid funding to the growing crisis in the UNC university system, this conversation exposes how legislative inaction and political meddling are creating real harm for students, families, educators, and care workers across the state. Susan unpacks how the General Assembly’s failure to...

info_outline 96 Free Speech and Financial Management show art 96 Free Speech and Financial Management

Advocacy Bites

Susan and Renee discuss the current free speech situation in the US, and the current financial situation in Winston Salem/Forsyth County public schools. Stay connected at:

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Advocacy Bites

Renee and Susan talk about the legislature’s failure to pass a budget (again), as well as the lengthy delay in the Leandro case.  Stay connected at

info_outline 94 Back To School show art 94 Back To School

Advocacy Bites

Renee and Susan discuss back to school tips and tricks   Stay connected at:

info_outline 93 Advocacy Glossary show art 93 Advocacy Glossary

Advocacy Bites

Renee and Susan review some of the terms used in advocacy and election volunteering.  Stay connected at:

info_outline 92 Deep Thoughts by Susan and Renee show art 92 Deep Thoughts by Susan and Renee

Advocacy Bites

Renee and Susan muse over some of the big ideas and feelings that have been floating in their heads recently. There may also be some light emotional breakdowns.      Notes:  Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back Author: Joan C. Williams  

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Advocacy Bites

Renee and Susan discuss the various lies and misdirections that extremists use to obscure their actions and goals.   Stay connected at: and https://www.facebook.com/people/Advocacy-Bites/100085908254061/

info_outline 90 Budgets and Bans show art 90 Budgets and Bans

Advocacy Bites

Susan gives us an update on the legislature budget shenanigans, and Renee and Susan discuss Wake County's new cell phone policy.  

info_outline 89 A Full-Circle Moment: Legislative Update show art 89 A Full-Circle Moment: Legislative Update

Advocacy Bites

Renee and Susan discuss what bills made (and didn’t make) crossover, and how this represents a full-circle moment in their advocacy journeys.   Notes:   

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More Episodes

In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book detail what Susan is seeing on the local level and how that relates to national issues in special education. We dive deep into the state of special education—from alarming local stories in Wake County to the broader national challenges facing students with disabilities.

Susan shares her family’s personal journey through the trauma of restraint and seclusion practices in schools, shedding light on the policies, data gaps, and systemic failures that continue to harm vulnerable students. Together, Renee and Susan connect these issues to the national dismantling of education oversight, including the impact of cuts to the Office for Civil Rights and Department of Education staff, and what that means for families who rely on federal protections.

This episode unpacks:

  • Wake County’s rising restraint and seclusion numbers — and what’s behind them

  • The role of lawsuits and media transparency in driving accountability

  • How systemic bias impacts Black and Brown students in special education

  • Why federal oversight matters now more than ever

  • What parents and advocates can do to create safer, more equitable schools

👉 Call to Action: Learn more and get involved with Disability Rights North Carolina — subscribe to their newsletter, stay informed, and support their advocacy for students and families.

If you care about education equity, disability rights, and meaningful change in our schools, this episode is a must-listen.

#SpecialEducation #AdvocacyBites #EducationReform #DisabilityRights #WakeCountySchools #Inclusion #EverydayAdvocacy #ParentsForChange #EducationPodcast