The U.S. Department of Education is exploring relocating its special education programs, weeks after the Trump administration laid off nearly all staff in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), according to a department spokesperson.
In a brief statement sent to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s media partner Word in Black, Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications, confirmed the department is seeking new federal partners for these programs but offered few details.
“The Department is exploring additional partnerships with federal agencies to support special education programs without any interruption or impact on students with disabilities, but no agreement has been signed,” Biedermann said.
According to USA Today, Biedermann also stated, “Secretary McMahon has been very clear that her goal is to put herself out of a job by shutting down the Department of Education and returning education to the states,” she said.
The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reshape the nation’s K–12 system, which officials have criticized as burdened by so-called “wokeness.” A key element of this agenda, detailed in Project 2025, includes reducing the scope and influence of the Department of Education itself.
“I think it’s super unfortunate that our most vulnerable humans, which are children with disabilities, are even a part of a conversation where resources are being eliminated.”
If finalized, the shift could have sweeping implications for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that guarantees approximately 7.5 million students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education. Black students account for roughly 16% of those in special education programs.
OSEP has long been responsible for ensuring that states comply with IDEA, monitoring programs, and providing guidance and enforcement when students’ rights are violated. Advocates warn that without these staff members, students could face delays in services or lose critical protections.
“For those students who have grievances and need interventions from the federal government to enforce those protections, not having those workers there to address immediate concerns is just another line of protection that students won’t have,” said Eric Duncan, director for P–12 policy at EdTrust.
The layoffs follow a temporary federal court block issued on Oct. 15, but if the government prevails in the next hearing, the absence of OSEP personnel could severely weaken IDEA enforcement. Transferring IDEA responsibilities to another agency would require at least 60 votes in the Senate, according to States Newsroom.
Republicans currently hold 53 seats, and Democrats hold 45, making passage unlikely without bipartisan support. Experts note that moving the programs could disrupt federal oversight and introduce uncertainty for states and local school districts.
For Black students and other marginalized groups, the stakes are particularly high. Historically, students of color have faced greater barriers in accessing special education services and often rely on federal oversight to ensure equitable treatment. Advocates warn that dismantling or weakening OSEP could exacerbate existing disparities.
Local impacts
Parents and teachers have expressed concern about what the shakeup might mean in practice. Many rely on OSEP to intervene when schools fail to provide required services, and delays or gaps could have lifelong consequences for students.
“Without federal staff to monitor compliance and respond to complaints, families will have to fight even harder to ensure their children get the education they are legally entitled to,” said Leticia Alvarez, a special education teacher in Bloomington. “I think it’s super unfortunate that our most vulnerable humans, which are children with disabilities, are even a part of a conversation where resources are being eliminated.
While the department searches for new federal partners, advocates emphasize that continuity in services must remain a priority. Any disruption could affect not only the daily educational experience of students with disabilities but also the legal protections that ensure access and equity.
The Department of Education has not provided a timeline for finalizing the move or announced which agencies might take on these responsibilities, leaving families, educators, and civil rights groups watching closely.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.