How Department of Education cuts could affect Pennsylvania students with disabilities

Groups that advocate for public schools in Pennsylvania warn that steps to downsize and dismantle the U.S. Department of Education will mean less help for students with disabilities.

The Trump administration’s changes could severely curtail services for 373,000 students in Pennsylvania.

Margie Wakelin, senior attorney for the Education Law Center, said a federal court has temporarily blocked massive layoffs at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

While the administration insists it will protect programs for students with disabilities, Wakelin said its actions suggest otherwise.

“Right now, we have a budget impasse at the federal level and at the state level in Pennsylvania,” said Wakelin. “Schools are having to take out loans in order to keep the lights on, and that inevitably has an impact on the services that students with disabilities are able to receive.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget would raise state special education funding by $40 million, for a total of over $1.5 billion.

Wakelin said her organization is still hopeful Congress will step in and oppose plans to dismantle the Office of Special Education, since federal oversight is crucial to protect children’s civil rights.

The group notes only Congress can create or eliminate federal agencies under the Constitution.

Wakelin warned that moving special education services out of the Education Department could risk losing the expertise needed to manage funding and resources effectively.

She explained that Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, funds for these programs nationwide are managed by the Office of Special Education Programs.

“The special education law has been effect since the 1970s,” said Wakelin. “The Department of Education has been around for about that same amount of time, and they’ve developed expertise on how to distribute that $15 billion that’s for special education funding, but also the guidance about how to use those funds consistent with the law.”

In the meantime, Wakelin said families and educators across Pennsylvania are understandably confused and worried about the future of special education amid the budget and layoff turmoil.