Tell Congress to conduct oversight of the recent reductions in force (RIF) to the Department of Education that impact critical programs such IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Congress promulgated IDEA and related legislation to protect and ensure that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education alongside their peers. However, recent actions have severely hampered the ability of the Department of Education to carry out its statutory obligations.
More than half of all positions at the Department of Education have been eliminated including nearly every position at the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of Special Education Programs without Congressional approval. It is critical that the Congress carries out its oversight duties and investigates these workforce reductions. Please urge your members of Congress to support oversight of the Department’s recent actions, especially as they relate to carrying out IDEA requirements.