1A What Department of Education Cuts Mean For Special Education
Oct 16, 2025
Becca Wallenwinder, former director of policy and planning in special education, discusses the devastating effects of staffing cuts on programs supporting children with disabilities. Laura Meckler, national education reporter, analyzes the political landscape surrounding these cuts. Chad Rummel, executive director at the Council for Exceptional Children, shares the real-world implications for special education teachers and families. Together, they highlight the importance of federal oversight, the risks of losing IDEA protections, and the urgent need for advocacy.
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Federal Cuts Threaten IDEA Oversight
- The administration's layoffs targeted the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, which administers IDEA.
- That office supports millions of children with disabilities and its decimation threatens federal oversight and services.
Veteran Teacher Warns Of Devastation
- Belva Collins described 30 years in special education and warned the closure of OSEP will ruin special education.
- She said states aren't ready to take over obligations built over decades since 1974.
OSERS Runs Wide-Ranging Disability Programs
- OSERS oversees IDEA, vocational rehabilitation, and specialized services for blind and deaf students.
- It manages roughly $20.6 billion, mostly for IDEA, serving about 8.5 million children and millions of adults.