ERC responds to US Department of Education RIFs

As you may have heard, the Department of Education recently eliminated hundreds of jobs through a Reduction in Force (RIF). While the long-term status of these cuts is questionable, there is no doubt that the short-term impact will be disruptive.

Decades of protections for our children’s civil rights are in jeopardy.

The latest cuts gutted the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office of Special Education Programs, two offices responsible for administering billions of dollars in federal education funding and overseeing the implementation of disability rights legislation.

But this isn’t just a concern for parents of students with disabilities, these cuts will have a negative ripple effect on general education services, decreasing classroom resources and teacher support, and forcing funding shifts to cover mandatory services.

Education Rights Counsel condemns any actions that result in systemic harm to public education. Programs that provide essential education services to all children need protection, and without staffing to administer these programs, everyone loses.

ERC remains committed to our vision of every child staying in school and thriving. And now, we’re even more determined to protect every child’s right to learn through collaboration, advocacy, and the law. We will monitor the situation at the US Department of Education as it evolves and keep you informed via email. (If you’ve received this email as a forward from a friend, sign up for your own subscription at EducationRightsCounsel.org today.)

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach our offices at ContactERC@EducationRightsCounsel.org or 402.263.6200.