All articles tagged with #special education
Fifty years after the signing of the law that established special education rights for children with disabilities, concerns are rising that recent federal staff cuts and policy shifts under the Trump administration threaten to undermine these protections and revert to a pre-1975 era of discrimination and exclusion.
The Trump administration has significantly reduced the Department of Education's staff and operations amid a government shutdown, aiming to dismantle the agency by cutting core functions like funding distribution and law enforcement for civil rights and special education, though some funding and programs remain unaffected for now.
A new wave of layoffs at the Education Department is significantly reducing staff, especially in offices overseeing special education, civil rights, and funding programs, threatening disruptions in services for students with disabilities, low-income students, and educational programs nationwide, amid broader government shutdown-related budget cuts.
The US Department of Education has laid off the majority of its staff handling special education, including the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, due to ongoing funding issues and government shutdown, raising concerns about the impact on services for children and adults with disabilities.
The Trump administration announced significant layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, notably affecting the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, which oversees programs for children with disabilities, raising concerns about compliance with federal laws and support for students with disabilities.
The US Department of Education has conducted mass layoffs affecting special education staff, risking the disruption of services for children with disabilities and the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Critics argue that these cuts undermine the department's ability to support vulnerable students, despite assurances from Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Fred Jimenez, a special education instructional assistant in San Antonio, died from injuries sustained after being pushed by a student, highlighting the dangers faced by special education staff due to staffing shortages. These shortages can lead to unsafe conditions, as educators often work alone with students prone to aggressive behavior. The Northside Independent School District struggles to hire and retain staff due to low pay, exacerbating the issue. The incident underscores the need for better funding and support for special education programs.
A federal hearing on special education teacher shortages highlighted concerns over Donald Trump's proposal to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, which could significantly impact students with disabilities. While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would remain, the shift of responsibilities to other agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Justice raises questions about funding, enforcement, and teacher standards. Experts are divided on the potential effects, with some warning of reduced attention to students' needs and others seeing it as a political move with minimal impact.
A former teacher in Indiana is being sued for allegedly orchestrating a "Fight Club" in his classroom, encouraging classmates to beat up a 7-year-old student with disabilities and recording the assaults. The lawsuit also names school officials and other staff as defendants. The teacher has resigned, and an investigation has been opened by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The child, now homeschooled, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is in therapy.
A study from the University of Rochester Medical School found that efforts to improve air quality at a special education school in Rochester, New York, were linked to fewer COVID-19 cases in staff and students. The school's focus on air filtration and improving airflow, especially for a population at increased risk of COVID complications, proved effective. Researchers emphasized the importance of a combination of approaches, including masking, vaccination, ventilation, and air filtration, in preventing infections.
The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would bring major changes to the state's nine Area Education Agencies (AEAs), which oversee services for students with disabilities. The bill proposes that by 2025, school districts would receive 90% of special education funding instead of it going directly to AEAs, and they would gain full control of media services and general education funding. The bill also shifts significant oversight and authority to the director of the Department of Education. However, the bill still needs approval from the Iowa House, and negotiations and compromise may be necessary between the two chambers before the legislation reaches the governor's desk.
A 29-year-old pregnant special education teacher, Courtney Fannon, was found unresponsive in her classroom at Kendall Elementary School in New York, and both she and her unborn baby were declared dead. Fannon was described as a loving and dedicated teacher who always put her students first. The school announced that counselors would be available for students, and a GoFundMe page has raised over $70,000 to support her family.
Iowans are divided over Governor Kim Reynolds' proposed AEA reform bill, with supporters arguing for increased oversight and flexibility to address low test scores for students with special needs, while opponents fear a complete overhaul of a system that has been working for 50 years. The bill has passed out of its subcommittee in the Senate but has not advanced in the House, with lawmakers expressing the need for more discussion before making a decision.
A second family in Newton, Massachusetts, has filed a motion in court to end the ongoing teachers' strike, citing the impact on their daughter's specialized education. The Newton Teachers Association argues that private citizens cannot obtain relief against a public-sector work stoppage, but the family asserts their right to intervene. The strike, which has led to canceled classes for eight days, stems from negotiations over pay raises, social workers in schools, and parental leave policies. The teachers face court-imposed fines and potential additional fees for each day the strike continues.
Governor Kim Reynolds proposed reforming Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs) to focus solely on special education services, but after meeting with educational leaders and lawmakers, she revised her proposal to allow districts to control whether they use AEA services or reroute funding to other providers. Reynolds claims that AEAs have expanded beyond special education, but a Legislative Services Agency report contradicts this. Reynolds also argues for reform based on the poor performance of Iowa's special education programs overseen by AEAs, citing consistently low rankings in national assessments. However, a fact check reveals that Iowa's students with special needs do lag behind their peers in most other states.