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As we settle into 2026, the question “Do we still need libraries in public schools?” continues to surface in education policy debates, budget discussions, and classroom planning sessions. With ubiquitous digital devices and increasingly connected learning environments, some may wonder whether traditional library spaces and services still matter. The short answer: yes — now more than ever.

Public school libraries have evolved far beyond rows of dusty books. Today’s libraries are dynamic learning hubs that blend literacy, technology, community, and equity. This article examines the continuing importance of libraries in public schools, how they’ve adapted to 21st‑century needs, and why eliminating them could undermine educational outcomes.

The Library’s Core Mission: Literacy and Learning

At their heart, school libraries promote reading — a foundational skill linked to academic success across subjects. Research consistently shows that access to diverse reading materials improves comprehension, vocabulary, and lifelong learning motivation.

Libraries help bridge gaps in literacy skills, especially for students who may not have access to books at home. According to the American Library Association (ALA), school libraries staffed by credentialed librarians correlate with better reading test scores and higher graduation rates.¹ Access to both print and digital resources ensures that students with different learning preferences and needs can engage meaningfully with texts.

Library programs also support broader literacy efforts such as:

• Summer reading initiatives that counter the “summer slide.”

Introduction: The Reality of Learning Differences

Learning differences and disabilities are more common than many people realize.

• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 14% of all public school students in the United States receive special education services.
• This means that in a typical classroom of 30 students, at least four will likely have some form of learning difference.

Facing Reality

When parents discover their child has a learning difference or disability, it can be an emotional rollercoaster.

• Initial reactions often include shock, denial, and even self-pity.
• It's natural to feel overwhelmed, but it's crucial not to dwell on these emotions.
• Your child needs you now more than ever, and taking prompt action is key to ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive.

I know this firsthand, as my eldest adopted son was thirteen years old when he came to live with us.

• He read at a Grade 2 level.
• We didn't panic. We acknowledged his issue and took him to a professional who recommended a special needs school.
• After 4 semesters of primarily one-on-one instruction, my son could read at his grade level.
• It's a scary, worrying experience, but with all the excellent resources available, a favorable outcome is entirely possible.

Understanding Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are neurologically based processing problems that can interfere with learning basic skills, such as reading, writing, or math. They can impede higher-level skills like

have been a game-changer in education, offering tailored support to students with a wide range of special needs. From students with learning disabilities to those struggling with behavior, IEPs have played a pivotal role in ensuring every child receives a quality education. This guide will demystify IEPs and explore how they benefit students, especially those facing behavioral challenges.

Understanding the Origin of IEPs

The roots of IEPs can be traced back to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the , signed into law in 1975. This groundbreaking legislation mandated that students with disabilities, including those with behavioral challenges, have the right to a free and appropriate public education tailored to their unique needs. The development of IEPs was a critical component of this law, ensuring that students received individualized support plans to help them succeed academically and behaviorally.

In special education, there's too much emphasis on the deficit and not enough on the strength.

Temple Grandin

The IEP Basics: What Parents Need to Know

For parents, understanding the basics of IEPs is essential. An IEP is a legally binding document that outlines a student's unique learning and support needs and the services and accommodations they will receive. It's a roadmap to success, customized to each child. The IEP process typically involves assessment, goal setting, and regular review meetings.

This video explains what an IEP is.

The term “special” is typically used to describe something that is better or greater than the average. In terms of education, however, the term is often used to describe students who are different or differently abled. Special education focuses on helping children with disabilities learn and, just as every student is different, so are the various approaches to special education.

Parents and teachers have always had their work cut out for them when it comes to educating and caring for special needs students, but the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges that may last for years to come. In this article, we’ll discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on special education and provide useful information for both parents and teachers.

What is Special Education?

The term “special education” generally refers to a set of services provided to students who have unique learning needs. In terms of federal law, according to the (IDEA), however, special education is defined as: “Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.”

In order to qualify for special education services, students must have an identified disability that affects their ability to learn. Eligible disabilities may include the following:

• Intellectual disabilities
• Speech or language impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Visual impairment
• Serious emotional disturbance
• Traumatic brain injury
• Orthopedic impairments
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Developmental delay
• Specific learning disabilities

Federal law requires schools to provide an appropriate education for all of their students with disabilities, regardless their disability

A recent survey shows that as many as 11% of children aged 4 to 17 years old have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. This is a condition defined by an ongoing pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with the child’s development and daily function. Some of the most common signs of ADHD like hyperactivity and impulsivity are easy to identify, but there is another category of symptoms that is often less clear – inattention.

Inattention is more than just having trouble staying on task, however, it has lately been defined more broadly as a pattern of difficulties known as executive function disorder (EFD). Keep reading to learn more about executive functioning issues and how to manage them.

This video explains how to bolster executive functioning in middle and high school-age students.

What is Executive Functioning Disorder?

If you think of the human brain as a big company, the executive function of the brain is the CEO. Around the time your child hits puberty, the frontal part in the cortex of his brain matures enough to allow him to perform higher-level tasks – things that the chief executive officer of a company might do. This includes actions like:

• Analyzing a particular task
• Planning the steps to complete the task
• Organizing those steps as needed
• Developing timeline to complete the task
• Adjusting or changing the steps as needed to complete the task
• Completing the task in a