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Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed in OCR lawsuit
A group of students and parents, represented by the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA), filed a motion for preliminary injunction on Friday, May 2, 2025, in the...
White House Sends 2026 “Skinny” Budget to Congress, IDEA Level Funded
In alignment with the new Administration’s agenda to streamline federal programs and cut federal spending, last Friday, the White House released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget Request to inform Congress’ work on annual appropriations. The ‘Skinny Budget,’ as...
COPAA and Partners Respond to Executive Actions on Discipline and Disparate Impact
Last week, COPAA signed with forty organizations in a letter to state and local leaders expressing “deep disagreement” with Executive Orders (EO) 14280 and 14281 which were issued by the White House. Citing multiple federal statutes as well as case law, the Education...
Senate Report Details Threats to Special Education Protections
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) serves a global student population, with about 15% receiving special education services. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found serious challenges in overseas schools, including limited access...
Nation’s Disability Services System Begins To Buckle As Funding Threats Intensify
Disability Scoop President Donald Trump wants to cut $163 billion in federal spending next year, potentially zeroing out key disability programs, some of which are already pausing services because they’re running out of money. The White House unveiled a budget summary...
Budget: Trump proposes massive $6 billion cut to K-12 spending
Chalkbeat President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget would cut nearly $6 billion from K-12 education and consolidate 18 grant programs into a single funding stream that states could spend as they wish. The proposal to do away with distinct grant programs could...
Not One Generation Removed, Disability Advocates Fear Return to a Dark Era
The 74 A generation ago, people with disabilities were rarely in the room when their welfare was under discussion. Decisions about their care and education were made almost entirely by non-disabled people, who typically addressed them not as individuals who aspired to...
Arizona Autism Charter School Founder Tapped as Ed Dept. Special Education Chief
The 74 The founder and executive director of a network of Arizona charter schools serving autistic children has been named the U.S. Education Department’s deputy assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services. Education Secretary Linda McMahon...
Update on 504 Lawsuit
An important development occurred in the lawsuit filed by 17 states challenging the Health and Human Services (HHS) Section 504 regulations that were promulgated last summer. The lawsuit challenges both the new 504 regulations as well as the constitutionality of...
Trump Administration Issues Multiple EOs Impacting Education
On Wednesday, President Trump signed a series of executive orders (EOs) that impact education. Below is a summary of key orders: Reinstating Commonsense, Non-Discriminatory School Discipline Policies aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)...