November 6, 2025
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: SPECIAL EDUCATION
With the Trump administration working to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and move oversight of special education oversight to another agency, I wanted to share recent articles that serve as much as explainers as they do news.
To sum things up, the department’s workforce has been gutted, and more layoffs are likely to come. Its Office of Civil Rights, which closed about half of its 12 regional offices, has been especially hard hit. In fact, if civil rights cases remain consistent with last year, reports the Center for American Progress (CAP), “the office would have to manage almost 190 cases per employee. Larger caseloads could force slowdowns in cases that already can last for years.”
Additionally, the administration has canceled more than $30 million in special ed grants, and is working to change policies that will keep states from receiving needed funding and resources.
“Our world is on fire,” Chad Rummel, executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children, told Disability Scoop. “There’s not gonna be another red flag. We’re there.”
But opposition to these moves is getting louder. Disability Scoop notes that 60 national organizations recently wrote to lawmakers urging them to hold oversight hearings on what they say are violations of IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act, and thousands of people have participated in a nationwide call organized by advocacy groups. Also, 29 U.S. Senators have written a letter (I know, but it’s something) to Dept. of Ed Secretary Linda McMahon warning that relocating the administration of IDEA violates protocols and jeopardizes support for students with disabilities.
Here’s more:
Special ed enforcement up to states under Trump plan Most states don’t have the resources — or, in some cases, the will — to adequately police and protect the rights of students with disabilities. (Stateline)
The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Ed Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students Fewer services, fewer protections. (CAP)
The Trump Administration’s Latest Staffing Cuts at the Dept. of Ed Threaten Children’s Success Across the Country This is a good explainer that breaks down the department into its parts, including The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, the main office overseeing federal pre-K-12 programs, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). (CAP)
The Slow Death of Special Ed A look at “five decades of Congress repeatedly weakening the right” to a Free and Appropriate Public Education. (The Atlantic)
Trump administration weighs future of special ed oversight and funding This commentary from back in May looks at how IDEA funding is structured and includes a look at Project 2025, the administration’s education blueprint, and its call for major shifts in how this funding would be distributed and used. (Brookings)
SNAP
Judge Orders Trump Administration on Thursday to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month (NYT)
And…you know what came later on Thursday:
Trump administration appeals order to pay full November SNAP food benefits (USA Today)
SNAP Cuts Disproportionately Hurt People with Disabilities (Center for Economic and Policy Research)
The Nation’s Largest Food Aid Program Is About To See Cuts. Here’s What You Should Know. A look at the permanent changes coming to SNAP thanks to President Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” (KFF Health News)
MORE SPECIAL ED NEWS
Heightened AI use in special education brings elevated risks Nearly 60% of special ed teachers reported using AI to develop an IEP or Section 504 plan during the 2024-25 school year. (K-12 Dive)
Opinion: Special Education Is Broken. Our New Database Can Help Spark Way to Fix It (The 74)
STATE NEWS
Lawmakers: N.Y. must modernize disability housing policies About 80% of New Yorkers with intellectual or developmental disabilities live with a caretaker older than 60. (Spectrum Local News)
New substance use treatment program in Minnesota is designed for people with autism (Minn Post)
‘I thought it was fake’: Arizona Autism staffer didn’t believe company email announcing termination A large, pediatric therapy provider announces plans to terminate approximately 2,800 employees as it braces for potential cuts to Medicaid funding. (12 News)
Oregon schools boost graduation rates for students with disabilities (KEZI.com)
‘Premature graduation’ of students with disabilities in Arizona challenged by parents, educators (Arizona Capitol Times)
NC judge pauses state-imposed Medicaid cuts to ABA autism therapy (The News & Observer)
HEAD START
As Time Runs Out, a Dozen Head Start Families and Providers Share Their Fears One mother in Washington state reports that the program had secured one-to-one certified nursing assistant for her son, who has cerebral palsy, is nonverbal and is fed through a G-tube: “It brings me to tears how much they’ve done for us.” (The 74)
HIGHER ED
KU expanding program to bring students with intellectual disabilities to college (KU News)
Rutgers receives $3.75M federal grant for future special education leaders (ROI-NJ)
MEDICAID
Strategies and Innovations in Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Takeaways from a 10-state project that provided support for states to explore, develop, and/or strengthen policies and strategies. (National Academy for State Health Policy)
CAREGIVING
New State-by-State Data Expose the Crushing Financial Strain of Family Caregiving (AARP)
HOUSING
Report: Most Housing Discrimination Complaints Were Disability Related (Weekly Real Estate News)
A Michigan town creates neuro-inclusive neighborhoods for people of all abilities (WXYZ.com)
HISTORY
Viscardi Center in Long Island, N.Y., cuts ribbon on nation’s only Museum of Disability History (Long Island Press)
ENTERTAINMENT
GREAT IDEAS
Queens special ed teacher builds student confidence with help from some unlikely friends A school-yard farm started by a special ed teacher in New York City teaches work skills and builds camaraderie. (CBS News)