Dr. Soldovieri Wins Outstanding Dissertation Award 

On Friday, February 13, Dr. Sara Jo Soldovieri, IDEAL's Director of the Dylan Program, received a letter from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Special and Inclusive Education Research (SIER) Special Interest Group (SIG). In the letter, she was notified that she had been selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Dissertation Award for 2026, one of the highest forms of recognition from the group. Dr. Soldovieri’s dissertation, “Because I Felt Like We Weren't Chained Down Anymore”: The Experiences of Families of Students with Intellectual Disability Who Revoke Consent for Special Education Services, was named an “outstanding and impactful contribution to the field,” reflecting a “scholarly rigor and a deep commitment to centering the knowledge and experiences of participants in ways that meaningfully advance research, policy, and practice.” Dr. Soldovieri was invited to accept the award and give a presentation at the group’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. We congratulate our colleague and welcome the opportunity to share her scholarship and dedication to inclusive education with a broader audience.