The Real Crisis in Education:
It’s How We’re Approaching the Brain
by Dr. Jan Bedell
When news broke this week about widespread layoffs in the federal Special Education Department, many reacted with heartbreak and outrage. After all, these are the very teams tasked with helping our most vulnerable students. But as painful as these cuts are, they also shine a light on a deeper problem, and it's one that can’t be solved by budgets, staffing ratios, or more paperwork.
For decades, we’ve been managing symptoms instead of fixing the root cause. We’ve labeled children, created elaborate support plans, and taught them how to cope. But we haven’t given their brains the opportunity to build the foundation for academic success.
As a neurodevelopmentalist for more than thirty years, I’ve seen what happens when we strengthen the brain’s foundation instead of trying to compensate for its weaknesses. The results are often astounding. Children once labeled “learning disabled” begin to read fluently, retain information, and focus for longer periods. They begin to believe in themselves again. Parents rediscover hope for their child’s future.
Here’s the truth we’ve missed in the education system: the brain can be rewired. It’s designed by God to adapt, grow, and build new pathways. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s neuroscience, the principle of neuroplasticity. When we focus on developing the underlying skills the brain needs (like auditory processing, memory storage, and visual tracking to name a few), we often see problems like dyslexia, ADHD, or poor comprehension diminish dramatically.
Unfortunately, our systems aren’t built for transformation. They’re built for management.
We accommodate weaknesses with labels, interventions, and modifications, all well-meaning, but often lacking in restorative value. Considering the growing demand for services, those accommodations often crumble, leaving children and families more desperate than ever.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Imagine a classroom where teachers understand how to build brain function, not just deliver curriculum. Imagine students gaining the ability to process information efficiently, rather than being given extra time because their brains can’t. Imagine entire schools where “special education” becomes less necessary, not because we’ve given up, but because we’ve succeeded in making positive, foundational changes.
That’s what I’ve dedicated my life to, equipping parents and educators with the tools to strengthen the brain itself. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of children through neurodevelopment-based programs. I’ve watched families who once felt hopeless discover that their child’s brain could grow stronger, faster, and more efficient.
When we address the cause — not just the symptoms — we change everything.
So yes, the layoffs may seem tragic. But they’re also an opportunity to reimagine what special education could become. Let’s shift from reaction to restoration. Let’s stop labeling and start liberating children’s potential. Let’s equip our schools, teachers, and parents with what actually works: fixing the brain.
Because every child deserves more than accommodation — they deserve transformation.
