The US Department of Education has laid off the majority of staff responsible for special education, leaving key programs supporting millions of children and adults with disabilities in jeopardy. The cuts, part of 466 terminations across the department, have sparked widespread alarm among education advocates who warn that the move could cripple federal oversight of disability rights and access to proper education nationwide. Officials attribute the layoffs to a continued lapse in government funding amid the ongoing shutdown.
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Special Education Office Hit Hard
According to multiple reports, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) was among the hardest hit in the latest wave of layoffs. The office, which plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights of students with disabilities, saw most of its workforce eliminated on Friday. A letter to staff reviewed by CNN stated that the reduction in force was “necessary to implement” due to the prolonged funding lapse caused by the government shutdown. The Guardian has reached out to the Department of Education for comment.
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Workers Sound Alarm
Employees within the department described the move as catastrophic. One staff member told NPR: “This is decimating the office responsible for safeguarding the rights of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.” The sentiment reflects deep concern among federal workers that the shutdown is eroding the government’s ability to protect vulnerable populations who depend on these programs.
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Advocates Warn of Major Setbacks
The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) issued a stark warning that if the layoffs continue, “there is significant risk that not only will federal funding lapse, but children with disabilities will be deprived” of their right to a free and appropriate education. The group’s statement highlights the potential long-term consequences for millions of students and their families who rely on federal programs for access and support.
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Education Leaders Condemn Decision
Chad Rummel, executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children, called the near-elimination of the Office for Special Education Programs “absolutely devastating.” He emphasized the far-reaching harm caused by dismantling federal capacity to support the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). “Eliminating federal capacity to support IDEA is harmful to people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them, and it runs counter to everything our members work toward every day,” Rummel said.
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Shutdown’s Deepening Impact
Vice-President JD Vance and other officials have recently acknowledged that as the shutdown drags on, layoffs across federal agencies will “deepen.” With thousands of employees already terminated, the education sector now joins a growing list of critical government functions being crippled by the budget stalemate. Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement to restore operations or protect essential departments from further cuts.
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History of Cuts in the Department
This isn’t the first major round of layoffs at the Department of Education. In March, the agency cut 1,300 employees, nearly half of its workforce, in what Education Secretary Linda McMahon described as a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.” The latest cuts, however, appear to target some of the most sensitive and indispensable areas of federal education oversight.
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Future of Disability Rights Uncertain
With the shutdown unresolved and funding stalled, the future of federal support for individuals with disabilities remains unclear. Education advocates warn that without immediate intervention, the nation risks reversing decades of progress made under laws like IDEA. For now, thousands of families await answers as the shutdown continues to take a heavy toll on the country’s most vulnerable students.