Why IDEA Must Stay in the U.S. Department of Education, and Why 850+ Organizations Just Drew the Line

More than 850 organizations across the United States have issued a unified call to keep IDEA oversight within the U.S. Department of Education. Their message is clear: moving IDEA to another agency risks eroding protections, weakening accountability, and disrupting services for millions of students with disabilities. IDEA is a federal civil rights law, not a discretionary program, and it requires consistent, centralized oversight to ensure equity, guard against fragmentation, and stop the continued funneling of marginalized students into under resourced special education systems.

Extending Special Education To 22: Time, Dignity, And The Work We Choose To Do With Both

Washington extended special education eligibility so students can now receive services through the end of the school year in which they turn 22. That extra year is not a formality. It is a second chance to get transition right. If we treat it like storage, nothing changes. If we treat it like launch, we can use this time to build real adult lives, with real community connections, for students who have been surviving school instead of benefiting from it.

When The Ground Shifts Under Our Classrooms

The federal government just moved billions of dollars in education programs out of the Department of Education, framing it as a step toward “returning power to the states.” Behind that language sits a harsher reality. Special education offices have been gutted, key grants are being scattered across unfamiliar agencies, and families are being left to navigate a system that no longer has a clear front door. This moment demands more than outrage. It demands local organizing, documentation, and community based accountability to protect students who have always lived on the margins of the system.

When the Safety Net Frays: What Federal Layoffs Mean for Special Education

The U.S. Department of Education has begun laying off 466 employees during the federal shutdown, which is about one fifth of the agency’s remaining staff. Several offices that protect civil rights and support students with disabilities are among the hardest hit. Reports indicate that the Office of Special Education Programs is dropping from about 200 … Continue reading When the Safety Net Frays: What Federal Layoffs Mean for Special Education →

Preparing for the Impact on Special Education Funding in Washington State and Nationwide

The potential defunding of the U.S. Department of Education threatens special education nationwide. Cuts to IDEA and Title I funding could reduce resources, undermining Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Teaching. States like Washington may rely on agencies like DSHS to fill gaps, but advocacy and alternative funding are crucial to protecting equitable education access.

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A New Precedent for Equitable Education: Reflecting on the Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools Case and the Importance of Inclusive Education

As an educator committed to fostering equitable and inclusive education, I encourage parents, community members, and fellow educators to use this new precedent to push for meaningful change. Together, we can work towards dismantling the barriers that prevent our students with disabilities from reaching their full potential and enjoying equal opportunities in education and beyond.