DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

REDUCTION in FORCE

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (OSEP) &

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (OSERS)

The 3 Offices at DOE Impacted

1. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
1. Believe only 2-5 staff remain

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• Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
• There is less than 5 staff remaining

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• Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
• Unsure of the numbers

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What is OSEP?

The federal office which ensures the the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is actively implemented in states, districts, and schools.

Why is OSEP Important?

By providing oversight, technical assistance, and guidance to grantees, including public schools, state department of education and agencies like MPF, OSEP ensures that students with disabilities receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with typically developing peer for ages 3 through 22. They also use the same protocols to ensure Early Intervention Services to individuals aged birth through 2 with disabilities.

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What has occurred?

On October 10th the administration fired all but 2-5 employees down from 80-90, to be implemented on 12/9/25, effectively shutting it down.

What are the Implications

• All grant funding jeopardized as there will be no staff to provide management and oversight.
• Denial of IDEA rights as there will be no staff to monitor and enforce state compliance and corrective action plans leaving families no recourse.
• Without proper technical assistance states will struggle to implement evidence based practices.

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What are the Implications

• Without staff to implement and

review reporting there will be no

available metrics to judge how

children with disabilities are

performing.

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• Specialized programs for the visually impaired will not have staff available to provide oversight jeopardizing services.
• No “Dear Colleague” guidance which provide clarity of the nuances of IDEA.
• There will not be staff to monitor disproportionate practices that may harm marginalized populations.

What is OSERS? The federal office providing oversight of State Vocational Rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

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Why is OSERS Important?

Through monitoring, technical assistance and dissemination of information it ensures that states are in compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act which assists individuals with disabilities in pursuing gainful employment, independence, self-sufficiency, and full integration into community life.

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What has occurred?

On October 10th the administration fired all but 3 employees down from 60, to be implemented on 12/9/25, effectively shutting it down.

What are the Implications

• It will be impossible for 3 employees to monitor programs in 78 State VR agencies totaling $4.4 billion dollars.
• A lack of monitoring and oversight puts the funding is at risk as there will not be the staff to authorized funding based on performance reports.
• OSERS covers 80% of the total cost for program implementation in states and states will not be able to cover 100%.

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What are the Implications

• Limited program technical assistance and monitoring for projects providing employment services for individuals with disabilities.

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• The loss of the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials.
• Limited support for for Client Assistance Programs (CAP) and Protection and Advocacy Individual Rights Programs which assists individuals with disability on advocacy and enforcement of their rights.
• Disrupted training for grantees delivering independent living services to visually impaired individuals over the age of 55.

What is OCR?

The federal office safeguarding equal educational opportunity by providing recourse for individuals with disabilities who have experienced discrimination.

Why is OCR Important

It carries the promise that student will not be discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. Annually they handled tens of thousands of complaints, 19,000 in 2024. They negotiate legally binding agreements to correct violations in schools, state education (including Section 504), vocational rehabilitation, and public libraries.

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What has occurred?

In March of 2025 the administration eliminated 240 positions and closed 12 office including Boston. On, October 9th nearly all remaining staff have been eliminated.

What are the Implications

• Without staff to investigate the thousands of complaints of discrimination students, parents, employees, and community members with disabilities lose their opportunity for recourse and professionals will lose important guidance on disability rights putting at jeopardy the promise of equality.

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What are the Implications

• Thousands of pending complaints remain unresolved.
• There will be no agency to ensure the enforcement of the federal rights of individuals with disabilities and discrimination within our systems of education will increase.

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• Students with disabilities will have less access to quality education.
• Students with disabilities may see an increase in segregation.