During the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Education has laid off most of its staff in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) — the team responsible for enforcing laws that protect students with disabilities.
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Over 460 employees were cut, with special education and civil rights offices hit hardest. Without these staff, critical federal oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is effectively gone.
Why This Matters:
Schools may fall out of compliance with disability laws. Families lose access to federal support when rights are violated. The most vulnerable students are left without protection.
Advocates warn this isn’t just about budget cuts — it’s a dismantling of key protections. Legal challenges are likely, but in the meantime, disabled students could pay the price.
