Rumors of special education offices moving out of ED

What concerns about outsourcing special education functions resurfaced in Washington?

Michelle Diament of Disability Scoop reported that special education advocates have expressed renewed concern about efforts to move functions of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services out of the US Department of Education. On the heels of an announcement that, under an “interagency agreement,” the US Department of the Treasury will manage student loans, Ms. Diament reported that the National Down Syndrome Congress is urging people to contact legislators and encourage them to thwart moving the offices.

Ms. Diament reported that Chad Rummel, the executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children, told her parents (and presumably others) should watch closely. She quoted Mr. Rummel as follows:

“The administration should be focusing on how to improve the lives of kids with disabilities, and any changes needed to do that would be welcomed. However, no one can show us how the time, energy and resources needed to move OSERS will benefit kids, so we must continue to be guarded,” Rummel said. “Bringing down a system built over 50 years is not going to be easy to fix; parents and educators should be concerned about where we are headed and what education experts are leading and supporting this change.”

Ms. Diamet’s article is available at “Ed Department May Offload Special Education Soon, Advocates Warn.” Disability Scoop uses a paywall, but new readers have access to a limited number of free articles.