1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's plans to gut the Department of Education and transfer oversight of special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) threaten to undermine the rights and services for the 7.5 million students with disabilities across the country. While funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) may be maintained in the near term, the loss of education expertise and massive staffing cuts raise serious concerns about the federal government's ability to properly support and monitor compliance with this critical law. Without robust enforcement and guidance from knowledgeable personnel, there are legitimate fears that cash-strapped school districts could start cutting corners or services spelled out in individualized education programs (IEPs). The layoffs have already created a backlog of thousands of pending civil rights complaints involving students with disabilities. Transferring these responsibilities to an agency focused on medical issues rather than educational needs risks a return to an outdated, discriminatory model that views disabilities through a medical lens alone. Furthermore, the decimation of the Department's research and statistics arms will hamper efforts to study and report on the educational outcomes and progress for students with disabilities nationwide. These alarming developments threaten to reverse decades of progress in ensuring students with disabilities receive the free, appropriate public education they are entitled to by law. Swift action is needed to safeguard and reinforce the federal oversight and support system that protects the rights of millions of students with disabilities.