Thousands of parents, educators, and advocates oppose moving special education out of the U.S. Department of Education

Today, thousands of parents, educators, and advocates urged the administration to publicly commit to keeping special education and vocational rehabilitation programs at the U.S. Department of Education. Signed by nearly 4,000 individuals from across the county, the petition is being sent to the U.S. Department of Education and all members of Congress. 

“Moving special education and vocational rehabilitation programs out of the Department of Education jeopardizes the rights that protect students and adults with disabilities. As a mother of two adult children with disabilities, I understand the real fear that parents have on this issue. I hope the administration will respond to those fears by committing to keep special education where it belongs—at the U.S. Department of Education,” said Tonia Teasley, Executive Director of PACER Center. 

Background 

According to recent media reports, the U.S. Department of Education intends to move federal oversight of special education and vocational rehabilitation to another federal agency—likely either the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Labor. The nation’s main education law protecting the education and rights of students with disabilities is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), while the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (VR) protects the rights of children and adults with disabilities in education settings. These civil rights laws ensure that students and adults with disabilities have access to and can succeed in education settings alongside their peers. Transferring responsibilities of OSERS, which oversees the implementation of IDEA and VR, to another federal agency would fragment oversight and support for students and adults with disabilities. The U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services do not have expertise in special education or education issues generally, and this transfer would result in further uncertainty and confusion for states, school districts, and families. 

For more details, contact PACER Center Communications Specialist Julia Zerull at [email protected].