All articles tagged with #special education
An immigrant mother moved to Massachusetts so her daughter with Rett syndrome could access advanced care, then built a WhatsApp-based support network that now helps more than 500 Brazilian families navigate the state’s special-education system with the help of nine volunteers who share resources.
A Senate education committee is moving toward a July vote to block moving core federal special education programs from the Education Department to HHS, which RFK Jr. oversees; Cassidy opposes the shift and would prefer it stay with Education or go to Labor, while Kaine claims bipartisan support could pass the measure. Disability groups warn of potential service disruptions despite officials’ assurances that student rights would be protected.
The Department of Education announced four new interagency agreements with HHS and DOJ to cut bureaucratic barriers and improve the delivery of federally funded programs for individuals with disabilities. The deals expand collaboration on special education and rehabilitative services, civil rights enforcement, student privacy protections, and training and advisory services, building on more than a year of partnerships to better align resources, support states and schools, and enhance outcomes for students and families—especially in early childhood education and employment opportunities—while ED preserves its statutory authorities.
The Trump administration plans to move the Education Department’s core responsibilities—specifically the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights—to Health and Human Services and the Justice Department, respectively, as part of a broader effort to dismantle the department. The shift, which would require Congress to act to shutter the DOE, could disrupt IDEA compliance and civil rights enforcement in schools and is likely to face pushback from lawmakers and education advocates.
The Education Department plans to move the offices overseeing special education services and civil rights out of the agency as part of a broader effort, under the Trump administration, to close the department by transferring its functions to other parts of the government, according to three people briefed on the plan.
Fifty years after the signing of the law that established special education rights for children with disabilities, concerns are rising that recent federal staff cuts and policy shifts under the Trump administration threaten to undermine these protections and revert to a pre-1975 era of discrimination and exclusion.
The Trump administration has significantly reduced the Department of Education's staff and operations amid a government shutdown, aiming to dismantle the agency by cutting core functions like funding distribution and law enforcement for civil rights and special education, though some funding and programs remain unaffected for now.
A new wave of layoffs at the Education Department is significantly reducing staff, especially in offices overseeing special education, civil rights, and funding programs, threatening disruptions in services for students with disabilities, low-income students, and educational programs nationwide, amid broader government shutdown-related budget cuts.
The US Department of Education has laid off the majority of its staff handling special education, including the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, due to ongoing funding issues and government shutdown, raising concerns about the impact on services for children and adults with disabilities.
The Trump administration announced significant layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, notably affecting the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, which oversees programs for children with disabilities, raising concerns about compliance with federal laws and support for students with disabilities.
The US Department of Education has conducted mass layoffs affecting special education staff, risking the disruption of services for children with disabilities and the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Critics argue that these cuts undermine the department's ability to support vulnerable students, despite assurances from Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Fred Jimenez, a special education instructional assistant in San Antonio, died from injuries sustained after being pushed by a student, highlighting the dangers faced by special education staff due to staffing shortages. These shortages can lead to unsafe conditions, as educators often work alone with students prone to aggressive behavior. The Northside Independent School District struggles to hire and retain staff due to low pay, exacerbating the issue. The incident underscores the need for better funding and support for special education programs.
A federal hearing on special education teacher shortages highlighted concerns over Donald Trump's proposal to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, which could significantly impact students with disabilities. While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would remain, the shift of responsibilities to other agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Justice raises questions about funding, enforcement, and teacher standards. Experts are divided on the potential effects, with some warning of reduced attention to students' needs and others seeing it as a political move with minimal impact.
A former teacher in Indiana is being sued for allegedly orchestrating a "Fight Club" in his classroom, encouraging classmates to beat up a 7-year-old student with disabilities and recording the assaults. The lawsuit also names school officials and other staff as defendants. The teacher has resigned, and an investigation has been opened by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The child, now homeschooled, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is in therapy.
A study from the University of Rochester Medical School found that efforts to improve air quality at a special education school in Rochester, New York, were linked to fewer COVID-19 cases in staff and students. The school's focus on air filtration and improving airflow, especially for a population at increased risk of COVID complications, proved effective. Researchers emphasized the importance of a combination of approaches, including masking, vaccination, ventilation, and air filtration, in preventing infections.