Take Action
Support Children with Disabilities: Preserve the Department of Education
The Administration has made it priority to close the U.S. Department of Education, putting 50 years of special education in jeopardy. On October 10, nearly all personnel within the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) were terminated in a reduction in force (RIF). OSEP is "dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts." While these cuts were temporarily overturned through January 30, the message is clear that implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is in jeopardy. At the same time, there is an effort to "move" special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, segregating it from other education programs. This move would de-emphasize the purpose of IDEA to provide a free and appropriate public education and other critical activities to infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, and challenge the federal role to provide evidence-based research, personnel preparation, and technical assistance to advance the field of special education. (Updated November 13)
- Fact Sheet: Federal vs. State Role in Special Education (Council for Exceptional Children)
- Executive Order: Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities (The White House)
- Interview: Watch CEC's Executive Director discuss the impacts of the layoffs at ED on special education programs on CNN
- Resource: Position on the federal role in IDEA
- Article: Op-Ed by Chad Rummel and Jacqueline Rodriguez on USAtoday.com
Your Voice is Critical
The Council for Exceptional Children works with policymakers on Capitol Hill, in the administration, and throughout the federal government to shape legislation that advances the lives of individuals with disabilities and to promote the policy agenda of CEC.
Our advocacy only works if you, our advocates, join with us in lending your voice. See our current advocacy topics below and engage in advocating with us.
Your gift to CEC’s Advocacy Fund strengthens our voice on Capitol Hill and ensures that children and youth with disabilities continue to receive the services and supports they need to learn and thrive.
Current Advocacy Topics
Support Critical Education Research
Education research supported by the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education improves the way educators deliver instruction to all students. CEC members rely on IES research broadly, and the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) specifically for innovative techniques to effectively serve children with disabilities. This spring, the Administration canceled scores of research grants and proposed to scale back IES significantly, posing a major setback for educators and students that could lead to a substantial loss of knowledge about best practices for ensuring high expectations and improved outcomes. Congress is now working to finalize funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year, including whether to maintain a strong research arm at IES and NCSER.
- Blog: Administration Cancels Nearly $1B in Education Research Contracts (CEC's Policy Insider)
- Fact Sheet: Impact of Federal Funding for Special Education Research (CEC's Division for Research)
Held in Washington, D.C, the Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS) is an opportunity for educators from across the country to make a difference by advocating for change with Members of Congress.