K-12 Dive

The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal to Congress touts a “historic investment” into federally funded special education programs, including increased flexibility for states to make funding decisions and a renewed effort to reduce paperwork burdens for special educators and administrators. Despite the proposed $539 million increase over FY 2026, special education administrative organizations and disability rights advocacy groups say the federal spending plan zero-funds and consolidates several programs for FY 2027, similar to the administration’s FY 26 proposal. Those changes would make states less accountable for provisions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and would erode the services and supports that students, families, and special educators rely on, they say.