Fragmented Federal Education Plan Could Harm Students With Disabilities, Advocates Warn

Weakening federal oversight of the U.S. Department of Education’s disability protections could leave students with disabilities vulnerable, as proposed shifts in authority threaten enforcement of key laws and disrupt critical support systems. Critics warn that redistributing responsibilities to other agencies may undermine accountability, leaving gaps in services and legal safeguards that ensure equal access to education. The move risks severing long-standing protections that have long been central to ensuring inclusivity for students with disabilities. Without strong federal enforcement, the consequences for vulnerable learners could be severe.

Parceling out the U.S. Department of Education’s responsibilities to other agencies puts students with disabilities at risk by weakening federal enforcement of the laws that protect them and severing ...