Education Dept. fails to reassure disability advocates on special ed move
9 reported2 unconfirmed
In a private call on Thursday, U.S. Department of Education officials attempted to ease concerns among disability rights advocates about plans to move the agency’s special education offices to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but the effort appeared unsuccessful, according to a recording of the call obtained by NPR. Acting assistant secretary Kelly Rogers stated that HHS is not taking over the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but acknowledged that staff from the Office for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) would move to HHS, with Rogers continuing to oversee them from the Education Department with support from HHS. Advocates expressed confusion and frustration, with Chad Rummel of the Council for Exceptional Children saying the briefing left more questions than answers, and Denise Marshall of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates calling the proposal a “sham” that adds bureaucracy. The call came three weeks after the initial announcement that the Education Department would move special education and civil rights functions to other agencies as part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the department. Education Department press secretary Savannah Newhouse stated that advocates have “nothing to fear” and that the partnership places responsibilities in a better-positioned agency. The article notes that the Education Department has overseen IDEA for decades, and advocates worry the move could lead to confusion, slower guidance, and weaker monitoring for students with disabilities.
What’s reported
The Education Department held a private call with disability advocates on Thursday to discuss moving special education offices to HHS.
Acting assistant secretary Kelly Rogers said HHS is not taking over IDEA, but OSERS staff will move to HHS.
Rogers said she will continue to oversee OSERS staff from the Education Department with HHS support.
Chad Rummel of the Council for Exceptional Children said the briefing left more questions than answers.
Denise Marshall of COPAA called the strategy “a sham” and said it adds bureaucracy.
The call occurred three weeks after the initial announcement of moving special education and civil rights functions.
Education Department press secretary Savannah Newhouse said advocates have “nothing to fear” and the move places responsibilities in a better-positioned agency.
Federal funds for special education will continue to flow through the Education Department for now, but it is unclear how systems may change when OSERS staff move to HHS.
A federal agency can only be completely dissolved by an act of Congress.
Open questions
No specific timeline for the changes was provided by Rogers.
It is unclear how funding systems may change when OSERS staff move to HHS.
Key figures
Kelly Rogers, acting assistant secretary overseeing special education at the U.S. Department of Education
Chad Rummel, leader of the Council for Exceptional Children
Denise Marshall, CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities
Savannah Newhouse, press secretary for the U.S. Department of Education
Sources: NPR
