Tell Congress to Reinstate Federal Office of Special Education Employees
A devastating blow to special education has just been dealt.
CHADD is alarmed at the recent US Department of Education layoffs that threaten special education services and protections for students with ADHD. We urge you to take immediate action to protect special education.
Tell Congress to Protect Special Education
Over the weekend of October 10-12, massive staff layoffs nearly eliminated the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). These layoffs make it almost impossible for the office to effectively administer Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding and to monitor states and school districts for compliance with the federal law.
This means students with ADHD and other disabilities may not have their educational rights protected and their individualized education plans (IEPs) honored or properly applied. It will have a direct effect on their ability to learn and their future educational success.
This is a critical threat to special education. OSEP provides the oversight and expertise needed to be sure states and school districts—especially the educators and related service providers—properly implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA is the special education law that guarantees that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate education in classrooms with other students. These special education protections are now at risk.
If OSEP cannot guide and monitor how the states and school districts implement IDEA, these layoffs threaten the rights of students with disabilities and their families.
You can help save OSEP and special education! Contact your federal representatives and senators today and urge them to be sure OSEP employees are reinstated. Let them know they need to make certain that IDEA is guided and monitored by a fully staffed OSEP that will continue to protect students with disabilities.
CHADD urges you to join us in calling on Congress to reverse these cuts.
Our collective voice matters. When we stand together, we can make a difference for the students and families who depend on IDEA protections.