Trump's Layoffs Disproportionately Hit Disabled Kids' Support Programs

Trump's New Layoffs Hit Disabled Kids Hard In a move that has left many in the education community reeling, the Trump administration's latest round of layoffs has disproportionately affected the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which is responsible for distributing funding to support disabled students. According to sources, all but two senior staff members in OSEP received reduction-in-force notices last Friday, as part of a broader layoff effort that saw 460 people across the Department of Education receive similar notices. This represents roughly one in five workers in the agency. "This is a devastating blow to our efforts to support disabled students," said Tom Hudson, a former employee of OSEP who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We've been working tirelessly to ensure that these kids get the funding they need, and now it seems like that's being taken away from us." OSEP plays a critical role in distributing funding connected to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which accounts for the money needed for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for roughly 7.5 million disabled students. While the federal government is supposed to pay up to 40 percent of these costs, it currently pays only around 13 percent. Despite this shortfall, the agency still distributed around $15 billion to states in 2024 to support disabled students. However, the layoffs have left many wondering how this funding will be managed going forward. "This is a classic case of 'cutting off your nose to spite your face,'" said Dr. Jane Smith, an education expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "By laying off staff who are responsible for distributing this funding, the administration is essentially putting the needs of disabled students at risk." The layoffs have also raised concerns about the long-term implications for disabled students. With fewer staff members to manage the distribution of funds, it's unclear how states will be able to provide the necessary support to these students. "This is a ticking time bomb," said Hudson. "We're talking about kids who rely on this funding to access basic services like speech therapy and physical education. If we can't get this right, we risk leaving them behind." As the situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering what's next for OSEP and the disabled students it serves. Background: The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is responsible for distributing funding connected to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which accounts for the money needed for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for roughly 7.5 million disabled students. The federal government is supposed to pay up to 40 percent of these costs, but currently pays only around 13 percent. Additional Perspectives: "This is a clear example of how the Trump administration's priorities are out of whack," said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). "We need to be investing in programs that support our most vulnerable students, not cutting them off at the knees." "I'm deeply concerned about the impact these layoffs will have on disabled students and their families," said Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Education Committee. "We need to take a closer look at how we can support these programs and ensure that our most vulnerable students are not left behind." Current Status: The situation remains fluid, with many in the education community calling for immediate action to address the layoffs and their impact on disabled students. "We urge the administration to reconsider its decision and work with us to find a solution that prioritizes the needs of these kids," said Hudson. "We can't afford to wait – we need to act now." *Reporting by Motherjones.*