Effects of disappearing structural supports at US ED

What will be the consequences of the extensive dismissal of special education staff members at offices administering

Over on Sped Law Blog, David Bateman (yes, that one!), posted “When Federal Scaffolding Falls: What the Depart of Education RIF Means for Special Education” on 15 October 2025. David provided valuable perspectives about the effects of the RIF activities. Here’s his first paragraph:

In October 2025, the U.S. Department of Education executed one of the most consequential reductions-in-force (RIF) in its history—466 positions eliminated, including nearly all staff from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)—the federal backbone for IDEA oversight—was effectively dismantled during a government shutdown.

In subsequent paragraphs David explained that the changes in personnel in US Department of Education did not disable Individuals with Disabilities Education.
The law is still there and in force. To be sure, there will be consequences of the reduction in force (and David suggests some we can expect), and we should watch for them, but the instruction that students receive should not be affected.