02/07/2025
UPDATE: ACTION ALERT! 🚨 NDSC has created a game plan for all advocates. Read below for our newest action alert on this topic. Click here to contact your legislators: https://ndsccenter.salsalabs.org/savetheusdoe
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The U.S. Department of Education is in imminent danger of being weakened and dismantled by the Administration through proposed Executive Orders, actions by Elon Musk and his DOGE team, and through legislation in Congress to abolish it. Such actions would have dire consequences for students, educators, and the future of our education system, and especially students with disabilities. These actions could result in the loss of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and civil rights protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as the loss of billions of dollars in funding for special education services and programs.
Disability laws and special education have always had strong bipartisan support. We call on the Administration and Congress to step back and discuss ways to improve the U.S. education system and best serve students with disabilities in a bipartisan manner before it’s too late. NDSC will be releasing an Action Alert to contact your legislators.
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CALL ON YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO OPPOSE EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) is in imminent danger of being weakened and dismantled by the Administration through proposed Executive Orders and actions by Elon Musk and his “DOGE” team, and through legislation in Congress to abolish it. Such actions would have dire consequences for students, educators, the future of our education system, and especially students with disabilities. Specifically, these actions could result in the loss of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and civil rights protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as the loss of billions of dollars in funding for special education services and programs.
Multiple news sources, including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and ABC News, are reporting that the Administration is planning an Executive Order to dismantle the Department, many employees have been put on leave, the Department is in "chaos", and Elon Musk’s DOGE representatives are already working inside the Department to dismantle it.
Disability laws and special education have always had strong bipartisan support. We call on the Administration and Congress to step back and discuss ways to improve the U.S. education system and best serve students with disabilities in a bipartisan manner before it’s too late.
A strong Department of Education is critical to students with disabilities, their families, and educators. The Department:
· Is responsible for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), the federal law that guarantees a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities;
· Provides billions of dollars to states and local school districts to serve students with disabilities and for critically important programs such as technical assistance centers on topics like positive behavior supports, universal design for learning, and inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disabilities; and
· Is charged with protecting the civil rights of students with disabilities and investigating patterns of discrimination within individual states and across the country.
Current threats to the Department include:
· A bill introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) (HR. 899) that would abolish the Department of Education;
· Pending executive orders to direct the Department to develop a plan for diminishing and ultimately eliminating its own existence and getting rid of many established education programs and resources, including those that most significantly impact students with disabilities;
· Block granting IDEA funds to the states with “no strings attached” which could mean loss of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), parental rights, and civil rights protections for students with disabilities; and
· Dismantling the Department and scattering certain offices to other government agencies that lack the experience and expertise to implement IDEA and protect students with disabilities.
The greatest immediate threat to students with disabilities and their families is the ongoing purge of longtime, nonpolitical, career Department employees that is being led by Elon Musk and his DOGE team. It would take an act of Congress to completely close the Department, but it is already being dismantled from within.
NOW is the time to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to oppose all efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. To find your Senators and Representatives go to https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. Their contact information will be there. We recommend calling. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators or Representative.
Here is a script you can use:
I am a constituent, living in [HOMETOWN]. I am a [PARENT, SELF-ADVOCATE, FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND, ETC] of a student with a disability who receives special education services. I am calling to urge you to keep the U.S. Department of Education open and keep it strong. I am asking you to please urge the President to stop the dismantling of Department of Education and oppose efforts to gut and disperse it, as well as to oppose all legislation to abolish the Department. Protecting students with disabilities and special education have always had bipartisan support. Significant changes to the Department of Education that will impact students with disabilities need to be discussed in a deliberate, bipartisan manner so that solutions can be found that do not harm students with disabilities.
A strong Department is vital to the future of my [CHILD, FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND, ETC.] so that they can receive the education that is guaranteed to them under federal law and be prepared for employment and living in the community. Without the Department of Education, students with disabilities will fall through the cracks and our progress set back decades. Thank you.
