Federal Legislation & News
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Court Pauses ED’s DEI Directive Requiring State Certification of Compliance
On April 10, a U.S. District Court required the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to temporarily halt any action related to a directive issued on April 3. The new certification required States to sign an assurance to document that all K-12 schools comply with...
Students with disabilities lost a helpful program to DOGE cuts
NPR If you visit the website for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), you'll find a "Wall of Receipts" listing more than 7,000 federal contracts it has terminated. Little detail is provided, besides the "savings" from each cancellation, and it's...
Disability Advocates Tell Appropriators: Do Not Move IDEA to HHS or Dismantle ED
On Friday April 4, COPAA along with 47 disability advocacy partners in the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) sent a letter to Capitol Hill asking Senate and House appropriations and authorizing committee leaders to “take no action” through the Fiscal...
9.5 million students with disabilities affected by Trump’s education cuts, senators warn
13newsnow.com Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have joined 19 other lawmakers in the Senate in signing a letter addressed to the U.S. Secretary of Education, expressing their concern that without the Department of Education, students with disabilities will...
Dems, advocates challenge Trump’s HHS move
POLITICO President Donald Trump wants to move a crucial program for children with disabilities into the Department of Health and Human Services. Special education advocates and Democrats warn that his plan is illegal, Chelsea reports with POLITICO’s Mackenzie Wilkes....
‘Really scared’: Parents of kids with disabilities confront Education Department chaos
Idaho Capital Sun As President Donald Trump takes drastic steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, disability advocates are worried about whether the agency can carry out its responsibilities to serve students with disabilities. Representatives of several...
Could IEPs become more frustrating for students with disabilities?
USA today Students with disabilities face ongoing challenges with IEPs, highlighting frustrations from parents, schools, and children. Many parents report difficulties navigating the complex and inconsistent nature of IEPs, which are intended to provide tailored...
ED Issues Guidance on Parental Rights
A Dear Colleague letter was sent on March 28th by Frank E. Miller, Jr., Acting Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO), notifying Chief State School Officers and Superintendents of their legal obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy...
House Hearing Focuses on AI in K-12 Classrooms
The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing titled, From Chalkboards to Chatbots: The Impact of AI on K-12 Education. Led by Chairman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici...
ED Requires States to Certify Adherence to Anti-DEI Priorities or Lose Title I funds
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a letter to State Commissioners responsible for K-12 State Education Agencies (SEAs), instructing them to certify compliance with the Administration’s policies regarding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as...