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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon requesting answers about how recent mass layoffs at the Department of Education (DOE) are impacting students in special education programs.

“As co-chairs of the Bipartisan Disabilities, we are deeply concerned about the impacts these significant cuts will have on the future of the special education programs students depend on.

“The reported layoffs will impact the department’s special education office from roughly 200 workers to about five total staff. Families in our districts rely on these teams of federal workers to coordinate with states and schools to ensure they are following disability laws to protect our students and ensure all learners are getting the education they deserve.  For example, in 2018, the Department of Education found out that Texas for years violated federal law by denying students with disabilities access to proper public education. Gov. Greg Abbott then ordered a plan to overhaul special education, and thanks to federal oversight, necessary changes were able to be implemented.  

“The staff reductions inside the U.S. Department of Education have the potential to effectively dismantle the federal offices responsible for protecting the rights of students with disabilities. Based on reporting, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has lost most of its personnel and the capacity to enforce civil rights is severely weakened. OSERS plays a vital role in ensuring states comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and in managing billions of dollars in federal grants that fund special education and vocational rehabilitation. The offices also provide legal and technical guidance to schools, fund research on effective teaching strategies, support training and retention of special educators, and coordinate transition services that help youth with disabilities move from school to employment and community life.”

Read the full text of the letter here.