How The Ability Challenge is Transforming Special Education with Sarah Sandelius & Kristen N. Briggs

Olivia Wahl

10 March 2025

Join me as I speak with Sarah Sandelius and Kristen N. Briggs from The Ability Challenge about revolutionizing special education through their groundbreaking THRIVE Framework. We need to shift from deficit-based thinking to presuming competence in all learners. You'll Learn: Why focusing on Tier 1 instruction is essential for ALL studentsHow to move beyond compliance metrics to meaningful student outcomesThe critical difference between visible and invisible disabilitiesWhy "kids will meet whatever bar you set for them, low or high"Practical strategies for creating truly inclusive learning environmentsSarah Sandelius, a former lawyer who founded The Ability Challenge, shares her personal journey from witnessing educational inequity to creating systems-level change. Kristen N. Briggs brings her invaluable perspective as a special education teacher and school leader, highlighting how intentional support systems can transform educational experiences for students with disabilities. Episode Mentions:  National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)Insights for Navigating the Transition to AdulthoodForward TogetherIDEAMTSS-iJuliana Tapper, M.Ed - Teaching 6-12 Math InterventionThe Ability Challenge's 2025 White Paper "From ABC to THRIVE" Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and overview 01:00 - Meet Sarah Sandelius and Kristen Briggs 02:00 - Research that informs their work 03:50 - Kristen on lived experience vs. academic research 06:10 - Sarah's journey to founding The Ability Challenge 09:56 - Understanding visible vs. invisible disabilities 11:59 - What schools could do better to support students 13:21 - The problem of "Tier 2 and 3 ourselves out of a Tier 1 challenge" 17:23 - The importance of collaborative professional learning 19:29 - The THRIVE Framework explained 21:50 - Taking a systems-level approach to special education 24:40 - Moving beyond compliance metrics to meaningful assessment 27:46 - Grade-level content access for all students 29:08 - The "what, so what, now what" data analysis protocol 31:32 - Setting high expectations and checking educator biases 34:34 - Future vision and emerging trends in special education 37:17 - Building teacher knowledge around specialized instruction 38:37 - Resources for understanding functions of behavior 39:12 - Reimagining staffing approachesWhen coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.