U.S. Department of Education: Meeting the Moment with Collective Action

Based on an update from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights during an action call this morning (March 7), it is expected that the Trump administration will issue an Executive Order (EO) regarding the U.S. Department of Education (ED) today.

• While Secretary of Education Linda McMahon referenced the ED’s “final mission” earlier this week alongside reports of a leaked memo related to the expected EO calling to ‘dismantle’ the Department of Education, there remains uncertainty for what will actually be included in the public release.

The future of public education is at a critical point in our nation’s history – the actions today will have significant impact – the future of our children hangs in the balance.

We hold strong in the belief that education is a right that is fundamental to a functioning democracy.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s – 1960’s played a central role that drove desegregation alongside compulsory education which sparked the Disability Rights Movement of the 1970’s that resulted in what is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The IDEA was created by Congress to promote and ensure opportunity for ALL.

• 90% of American students attend public schools.
• 7.5 million students in public schools have been found eligible for special education nationwide (15%).

We all own the responsibility of public education – for our children, for our families, for our communities, for our economy, for our democracy.

We must act to protect and ensure the access and quality for ALL students to that pathway to prosperity that the promise of public education provides.

This moment now is an inflection point.

Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Change takes a long time, but it does (and has) happen(ed).

We must lean into pragmatism – framing our language and thought as tools for prediction, problem solving, and action.

We must lean into collectivism – the mindset that our actions are guided by shared goals and aims.

We must lean into optimism – the belief that our collective action will lead to positive outcomes.

We must hold to the belief that we are #StrongerTogetherforSpecialEd.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) has been working alongside partners in the education and civil rights community to step up, speak out, and take action on behalf of our mission and the constituents we serve.

What Happens to Students With Disabilities If the Department of Education Were Dismantled?

For students with disabilities, the consequences could be significant and detrimental to their ability to succeed in school and beyond.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Statement by the statewide, non-partisan coalition, Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity (MPEO), on planned changes to U.S. Department of Education

“The federal government’s role as a watchdog is particularly important in Michigan to ensure services are being met for all students, which is especially important for students with disabilities,” said Colleen M. Allen, Ph.D., President & CEO, Autism Alliance of MI. “It provides an important voice for parents, students and families when local school systems do not meet their needs or even disregard them. Federal oversight incentivizes districts to pay attention to and improve academic performance for all of their students. Without this oversight, schools may not be held accountable for meeting all students’ needs. Furthermore, dollars could be spent without any requirement that they be used for the services — and the students — for which they are intended.” 

The actions underway aimed to destroy the guardrails and protections that have served to provide educational opportunities and protect civil rights for historically excluded and marginalized students must be met with opposition.

TAKE ACTION:

Tell Congress to Protect Students with Disabilities: REJECT any proposal to Close ED or Reduce Education Funding

https://www.copaa.org/page/TakeAction 

• “Congress must protect students with disabilities and reject potential federal policy threats to the safety, health, and educational rights and opportunities of children eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. Congress must not support any action to close the US Department of Education or move IDEA to another agency. Congress must also support appropriations funding for key education programs such as IDEA, Title I, the Office for Civil Rights and more. Without these supports, the 9.5 million children served by these laws may not have access to a free, appropriate education as required by federal law.”  

The U.S. Department of Education plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of students with disabilities, providing resources, and ensuring consistency across the country. If the Department were to be dismantled, the consequences will be far-reaching.

Instead of focusing on dismantling, let’s collectively work to improve the system in place, which includes increasing targeted resources for students with disabilities alongside effective transparency and accountability requirements that will enhance access to educational opportunities while also improving outcomes.

Let’s focus on ensuring our public education system provides a pathway to prosperity for ALL students so they can experience success in career and life beyond school.

In solidarity.

 

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