WASHINGTON, DC  – In response to the most recent cuts made by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that eliminate hundreds of jobs within the agency, COPAA CEO Denise Marshall made the following statement:

On Friday, the Department of Education eliminated hundreds of jobs through an illegal Reduction in Force (RIF). As we understand it, these RIFS affect all but a few staff and will harm students with disabilities. The action sends the message that our children are not valued and unfairly creates confusion and chaos in our schools.

The cuts have gutted key offices—including the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which are responsible to administer funding and oversee the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). 

The RIF circumvents the will of Congress and dismantles 50 years of precedent upholding the rights of students with disabilities. 

Decimating the Department of Education disrespects and ignores the requirements of the law. IDEA, a federal statute, requires the Secretary of Education to lead, direct, and oversee federal activities that are permanently codified into law. Members of Congress -from both sides of the aisle- agreed on this because they understand that our children, their families, and the educators that support them should not be bandied about with the political winds of one party or another. 

We call upon Congress  to protect our kids and put the pressure on the administration to reinstate staff at the Department of Education. 

Protect Children with Disabilities & IDEA: Tell Congress to Pressure ED to Reinstate Staff TAKE ACTION