A school bus stops at a south Minneapolis intersection in January 2025. (Ellen Schmidt/Minnesota Reformer)
WASHINGTON — Former officials from both political parties criticized the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to move special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. This move is part of a larger plan by President Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the Education Department’s role. The controversial transfers have sparked concern from educators and advocates.
Senator Patty Murray hosted a virtual press conference, expressing her strong opposition to the plan, which she called “outrageous” and “completely unacceptable.” She emphasized the potential negative impact on students with disabilities.
In June, the Education Department revealed plans to have the Department of Health and Human Services manage the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) programs, while the Department of Justice takes over civil rights enforcement. Previously, the department had established interagency agreements with multiple agencies, including Health, Labor, and Treasury, transferring various responsibilities.
The department stated it would still fulfill its legal obligations regarding special education and civil rights. However, critics like Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States, argue that the restructuring could fragment disability rights enforcement, complicating accountability.
OSERS oversees the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ensuring educational rights for students with disabilities. The reorganization has drawn criticism from civil rights leaders, including Catherine Lhamon from the Edley Center on Law and Democracy, who believes the changes could lead to longer delays in addressing discrimination cases. Stephanie Smith Lee from the National Down Syndrome Congress argued that IDEA is fundamentally an education and civil rights law, not a healthcare initiative.
Savannah Newhouse, an Education Department spokesperson, defended the interagency agreements as a means to enhance support and expertise by leveraging well-positioned agencies.
US House Bills ‘Dead’ in Senate
In July, the House Committee on Education and Workforce advanced bills to transfer several of the Education Department’s functions to other agencies. However, these proposals did not address special education and civil rights enforcement. Senator Murray vowed to block these efforts, asserting that “every one of those bills is dead on arrival.”
—
Read More Montana News
