Labor-H Spending Bill Primed for Final Passage, IDEA Receives $20 M Bump

by kids1stadvocac | Jan 27, 2026 | Federal

As reported last week, the House and Senate appropriators reached an agreement on the final text and accompanying Joint Explanatory Statements (Statement) for the remaining spending bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 which includes the Labor, Health and Human Services,...

The inside view of McMahon’s plans for special education

by kids1stadvocac | Jan 6, 2026 | Federal

POLITICO Disability advocates alarmed by the Trump administration’s plans for special education say a recent meeting with Education Secretary Linda McMahon did not alleviate what one participant described as “grave concern.” McMahon and Assistant Secretary for Civil...

ACT NOW: Tell Congress to Conduct Oversight Hearings to Protect Children with Disabilities

by kids1stadvocac | Nov 11, 2025 | Federal

Despite the pending short-term agreement led by the Senate that would allow federal employees to return to work, COPAA remains extremely concerned that the Department of Education (ED) has taken steps to eliminate all but a handful of staff and gut key offices...

Giving States waivers from accountability is a dangerous step backward for kids

by kids1stadvocac | Oct 21, 2025 | Federal

The 74 (OPINION) There has been a sea change in American education this year. From cutting social safety net programs and enacting unaccountable voucher programs at the expense of public schools to limiting access to financial aid for higher education, these...

Cuts at the Education Department Put Military Families’ Most Vulnerable Kids at Risk

by kids1stadvocac | Oct 21, 2025 | Federal

Military.com The recent Department of Education layoffs that have diminished the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services are likely to exacerbate challenges that military families already face. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Workforce Acceleration...