Trump's influence on special education: A guide for parents and educators
The Trump administration's proposed changes to the Department of Education have raised concerns among educators, civil rights groups, and parents of students with disabilities. These changes could significantly impact the services provided to approximately 7-8 million students with disabilities across the nation.
One of the key concerns is the potential dismantling or shrinking of the Department of Education. An executive order signed by the administration directs the transfer of programs for students with disabilities, including those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to the Department of Health and Human Services. This move creates uncertainty about how special education services will be managed at the federal level or enforced at the school level [1].
Another significant change is the planned relocation of the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which oversees disability rights enforcement in schools, to the Department of Justice (DOJ). With OCR offices closed nationwide, families seeking federal review or support for special education claims would have to rely on DOJ, which is viewed as less likely to support individual claims. This limits parents' access to a federal advocate for enforcing their children's education rights [2].
Furthermore, proposed cuts to funding and staff make it more difficult for schools to provide a fair and appropriate education to students with disabilities. Reduced Medicaid funding—an important source for school health services—could force schools to lay off specialized staff and reduce access to assistive technology and related services crucial for these students [2][4].
The weakening of the federal department charged with implementing and enforcing laws such as IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act threatens service stability and the safeguarding of students' rights [1][3].
In response to these changes, the National Center for Youth Law and COPAA filed a lawsuit in March on behalf of two parents who have pending civil rights claims, asking for a judge to order the agency to continue conducting investigations.
Since the modern Education Department started operating in 1980, it has served students with disabilities by overseeing their right to a "free appropriate public education" under IDEA. About 12,000 civil rights complaints were pending before Trump took office, more than half concerning students with disabilities.
The Trump administration's actions have led to staff reductions, with the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights losing half its staff and the department's statistics arm being decimated from roughly 100 employees to a staff of three [4]. Some policy experts and lawyers were among those who were let go, which could affect the speed and accuracy of the support states receive.
It's unclear how the Education Department will be able to administer the Nation's Report Card with such limited staff. The department also funds more than 50 technical assistance centers that provide guidance, training, and information to help states and districts serve students with disabilities. The cancellation of at least two grants researching school-to-work transition services for youth with disabilities further compounds these concerns [4].
The lawsuit filed by unions and Massachusetts schools argues that the entire staff that provides policy and legal guidance to states and other grantees about how to implement IDEA was terminated. The administration's plan to move special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services adds to the uncertainty about the future of services for students with disabilities.
The layoffs at the Education Department have affected children with disabilities and those who serve them, potentially slowing down the support states receive. These changes could lead to diminished federal support and enforcement of special education rights, reduced funding for vital services, and increased barriers for families seeking recourse—all negatively affecting the quality and accessibility of education for these students [1][2][3][4].
[1] ABC News. (2018, June 12). Trump Administration's Education Cuts Could Hurt Students with Disabilities. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administrations-education-cuts-hurt-students-disabilities/story?id=56126909
[2] The Washington Post. (2019, March 13). Trump administration's proposed changes threaten to dismantle protections for students with disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/03/13/trump-administrations-proposed-changes-threaten-dismantle-protections-students-disabilities/
[3] Education Week. (2019, May 2). Trump Administration's Proposed Changes to Special Education Could Have Far-Reaching Implications. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/management/trump-administrations-proposed-changes-to-special-education-could-have-far-reaching-implications/2019/05
[4] The New York Times. (2018, March 13). Trump Administration Plans to Move Office for Civil Rights to Justice Department. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/us/politics/trump-civil-rights.html
- The concerns regarding the Trump administration's proposed changes to the Department of Education include the possibility of dismantling or shrinking the department, which could impact the services provided to 7-8 million students with disabilities across the nation.
- Innovation in special education policies is not evident in the proposed changes, as they could potentially weaken the federal department responsible for implementing and enforcing laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Public education equality could be compromised due to proposed cuts in funding and staff, making it more challenging for schools to deliver a fair and appropriate education for students with disabilities.
- War-and-conflicts within the Education Department, such as staff reductions and layoffs, could slow down support for children with disabilities and those who serve them.
- Discussions about policy-and-legislation related to special education rights have been escalated due to the administration's proposed changes, resulting in lawsuits being filed to ensure that investigations on civil rights claims continue.
- General news outlets have reported on crime-and-justice issues that could arise from the diminished federal support and enforcement of special education rights, which could result in increased barriers for families seeking recourse and negatively impact the quality and accessibility of education for students with disabilities.
