Date: 1/5/2026
ACTION ALERT
Sign a petition to protect special education and keep IDEA at the U.S. Department of Education
According to recent media reports, the U.S. Department of Education intends to move federal oversight of special education to another federal agency – likely either the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Labor. PACER opposes this action and needs your help to ensure that the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), which oversees the funding and implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), stays at the Department of Education.
How can you help?
Sign the petition by Friday, January 16 to show that parents of students with disabilities and other stakeholders across the country oppose this transfer, which would reduce educational opportunities for students with disabilities.
Contact your member of Congress and tell them that you want IDEA-related programs to stay at the U.S. Department of Education:
Why is this important?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a civil rights law focused on ensuring that students with disabilities receive an appropriate education alongside their peers. Transferring some responsibilities of OSERS, which oversees the implementation of IDEA, to another federal agency would fragment oversight and support for students with disabilities. The U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services do not have expertise in special education, and this transfer would result in further uncertainty and confusion for states, school districts, and families.
While PACER is closely following these issues, please remember that special education laws and policies remain intact. If you are a Minnesota parent of a child with a disability needing support, please contact us.
If you have any questions about this action alert, please contact [email protected]
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