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CASE Collective:

Leading in Light

of Current Circumstances

June 30, 2025

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Introductions

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Phyllis Wolfram

Executive Director, CASE

Myrna Mandlawitz, Policy & Legislative Consultant, CASE

Joe Kwisz

President-Elect, CASE

Cherie Johnson, Policy & Legislation Chair, CASE

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Objectives for Today

Awareness of how advocacy works: Current memos, lawsuits, etc.
Knowledge of current Executive Orders and other agency pronouncements and potential impact on local school districts.
Understanding of federal funding, including threats to Medicaid and what the federal education contribution looks like for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
ADVOCACY, ADVOCACY, ADVOCACY!!!! Organizational and Individual!

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Access the PowerPoint Slides here.

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What’s What at the U.S. Department of Education?

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Trump’s First 100 Days: ED Press Release

“Combatted illegal DEI/racial preferencing in schools by:

“Notifying educational institutions receiving federal funding that they must follow antidiscrimination law….”
Requiring SEAs/LEAs “to certify their compliance with…Title VI….”

“Refocused priorities on meaningful learning over woke ideology by:

“Removing over 2,300 webpages from the…DEI and woke agenda.”
Cutting over $350 million from RELs and $225 million to Comprehensive Centers.
“Cutting over $600 million in divisive teacher training grants.”

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Department of ED Staffing

Cuts of about 50% of Dept workforce.

Lawsuits challenging layoffs.

? - New Deputy Asst. Secretary of OSERS: Diana Díaz-Harrison.

Founder/CEO, Arizona Autism Charter Schools.
Not officially announced as yet.

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Advocacy Works!

Announced rescission of previous extensions to spend COVID-relief funds.

Most states had extensions to March 2026, had already spent $$, & awaiting reimbursement.
Letter said states had until 5 PM on the date of the memo to spend all ESSER funds!
After push-back to demand, Dept instituted “Appeal Process!”

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Advocacy Works!

OCR requiring SEAs/LEAs to certify elimination of “DEI” programs & compliance with Title VI.

10 days to return form or possible loss of Title I $$.

17 states, DC, & Puerto Rico said would comply; 20 states said no; rest of states reviewing.

Federal court decisions related to DEI letter:

Dept has not provided adequate definition of “DEI.”
Policy threatens free speech in classrooms.
Policy oversteps authority over local schools.

NOTE: Government likely to appeal rulings.

See next slide for more details!

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Advocacy Works, DEI Case Cont’d.

In simple terms, judges’ decisions said government temporarily blocked from…

Enforcing “Dear Colleague” letter.
Enforcing FAQ document as it pertains to the DEI letter.
Any enforcement actions based on complaints raised in “End DEI” portal.
Requiring schools to submit certification form to SEAs.

REMINDER: Title VI can still be enforced if violations occur.

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Advocacy Works!

3 national orgs filed suit on canceling some teacher prep grants.

Lower court reinstated some grants.
In separate ruling, S.Ct. approved “emergency order” allowing withholding of grant $$ in 8 states that sued.
Issue still pending…expect more litigation.

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More Litigation!

Dept of Justice suit over transgender policy against Maine schools.

DOJ threatening to retroactively pull $864 million in federal $$, including $202 million not yet spent.
Suit alleges Title IX violations & asks for damages to the U.S. and to…

“establish a process to compensate female athletes who have been denied equal athletic opportunities due to Defendant’s violations, including correcting past athletic records.”

AG Bondi: “many, many” other states, including CA & MN, at risk of losing $$ over alleged civil rights violations.

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The Latest Education-Related Executive Orders

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“Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies” (4/23/25)

Secretary/AG to issue new discipline guidance re: LEAs’ “obligations not to engage in racial discrimination under Title VI….”

Take “appropriate action” for failure to comply with Title VI.
Coordinate with state AGs and governors on prevention of racial discrimination in school discipline.

Also new discipline guidance for DoD schools.

Submit report to president on “status of discriminatory-equity-ideology-based school discipline & behavior modification techniques in American public education.”

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“Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth” (4/23/25)

AI Education Task.

Implement AI policy: promoting AI literacy/proficiency by integration into education, PD, early exposure to AI concepts.

Presidential AI Challenge.

Encourage & highlight student/educator achievements in AI; foster collaboration among govt., academia, philanthropy & industry toward national challenges with AI solutions.

Improving Education through AI: K-12 resources.
Enhancing training for educators on AI.
Promoting registered apprenticeships.

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It Wouldn’t be a CASE Collective without FUNDING UPDATES!!

It’s All About the MONEY!

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FY 2025 Continuing Resolution

Rather than finalize $$ for current fiscal year (FY 2025, SY 2025-26), Congress enacted CR at FY 2024 level.
Agencies to report by 4/29 on spending plan.

No separate budget lines in CR for IDEA parts B, C, D.
Does Dept of ED have to allocate $$ same as in FY 2024?
Will report show all programs level-funded?

BOTTOM LINE: Hopefully will know more at end of the week where we stand for $$ to districts in July.

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FY 2025 Reconciliation & MEDICAID

House instructions to Energy & Commerce Committee.

Cut $880 billion/10 years from committee.
Cannot happen without deep cuts to or restructuring of Medicaid program!
Senate doesn’t specify cuts to Medicaid.
Letter from 12 House Rs to leadership: Can’t vote for bill that has deep cuts to Medicaid….their districts depend on these $$!

ALSO, House Education & Workforce Committee marking up instructions (4/29) to cut at least $330 billion over 10 years.

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Reminders about Medicaid

Cuts to Medicaid would have greatest direct impact on K-12 schools.
Medicaid supports over $7.5 billion in school-based services.

Districts obligated to provide IDEA services, so how will funds be replaced? Cuts to general education?
68% of districts use Medicaid $$ for health professionals’ salaries, so many could lose critical staff.
Funds also used for “medical equipment” that helps kids with disabilities access instruction.
Also would impact EPSDT services, moving screenings to doctors’ offices & ER with even higher costs.

CALL & WRITE TO YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS!!!

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President’s Proposed FY 2026 Budget

“Skinny” budget expected early May.

May cut non-defense $$ by more than one third, with deeper cuts to some agencies.
Already hearing possible elimination of some programs, including Head Start and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Remember: President’s budget proposal is just a “proposal.”

Skinny budget followed by program-level budget request later.
Congress then begins Appropriations process (already begun behind the scenes).

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Today’s Final Word on Funding

Administration to submit request to Congress maybe next week to rescind $9.3 billion of enacted funding.

Most from State Dept and USAID and about $1 billion from Corporation for Public Broadcasting (2 years’ of funding for CPB!), etc.
Possibly also $$ for agencies gutted through mass layoffs and $$ for teacher prep programs Dept has already stopped funding.

NOTE: Takes an Act of Congress!

Impoundment Act issue.
Congress usually takes “Power of Purse” very seriously.

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Updates on

Special Education Related Litigation

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A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools

Issue: Whether ADA and Rehabilitation Act require uniquely stringent “bad faith or gross misjudgment” standard for education-related discrimination.

Standard in some circuits: Bad faith/gross misjudgment
Standard in other circuits: Deliberately indifferent
School district: Bad faith/gross misjudgment is appropriate standard since families have other legal remedies under the law.

CASE joined amicus brief (friend of the court)with 8 national/state orgs supporting school district.
Oral arguments were heard in S.Ct. this morning.

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Oklahoma Statewide Charter Sch. Bd. V. Drummond

Issue: Whether state violates 1^st Amendment Free Exercise clause if state private religious schools excluded from state charter school program solely because schools are religious.
St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic School said, specifically, will not be compelled to serve students with disabilities, LGBTQ students.
CASE joined amicus brief (friend of the court) with 12 national education/education-related orgs.
Oral arguments heard this Wednesday in S.Ct.

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What YOU Can Do TODAY

to

Make a Difference!

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Action Steps

Go to the CASE Action Center and CALL or EMAIL each of your senators and your representative.

There are several ACTION ALERTS waiting for you!
USE YOUR CELL PHONE/personal computer, not your work phone/computer!
PERSONALIZE the emails and calls with YOUR STORIES!

How will cuts to education impact the students and families you serve?
Is there a particular child you can talk about?

Tell ALL your friends, family, & colleagues who care about kids to go to the CASE Action Center, too!!! You do not have to be a CASE member.

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Action Steps, Part II

One contact with a member of Congress is good, but REGULAR contacts are better!

Keep sending those messages!!!
VISIT your members when they are at home.

GO TO TOWN HALLS & TELL YOUR STORIES!
Set up meetings with staff in their district and state offices.

Use the “scripts” on CASE Action Center!
YOUR STORIES ARE MOST IMPORTANT!!!
Build those relationships with staff so they call YOU for info on special education!

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Action Steps, Part III

Go to “Voices from the Field” (Policy/Advocacy tab on CASE website, www.casecec.org).

Give us your stories!

What’s working well.
Stories about students who’ve benefited and how federal $$ helped!
What impact will your district feel if federal $$ (IDEA, Medicaid) is cut?

You can do this “anonymously,” but would be great if we at least know what state you’re in…and if we can mention your district, even better….but no pressure!!!!!