Reduction in Force: Federal Partners at the U.S. Department of Education

DEC Members,

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) engaged in a round of layoffs late this week, as reported by USA Today and other sources. At that time, it appeared that personnel from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, including the Office for Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA) were spared. However, we soon learned that a significant number of the personnel still remaining at the OSEP and RSA were terminated. The scope of terminations has not been verified, but multiple trusted sources have indicated that it has impacted nearly everyone working within those offices.

This news, which comes on the heels of a significant reduction in force at ED this spring that has already shrunk the workforce by nearly half, is devastating. It eliminates the expertise and oversight critical to ensuring IDEA implementation in states, eroding rights for children with disabilities and their parents.

CEC on behalf of the membership/divisions is working to verify information, which is challenging due to the partial government shutdown and mass terminations in ED's Office of Communications and Outreach. They are also strategizing with partners about possible appropriate action items. Please know we, CEC and DEC, will do all we can to apply pressure to reverse this harmful reduction in force.

DEC is working with partners this weekend, communicating with some hill staff and will be signing on to letters of concern about this very serious step with partners across the country. We will keep you posted as we receive information.

Join DEC's Coffee Chat: Special Edition Policy this week for updates

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, 8:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern Time - Register here.

Thursday, October 16th, 2025, 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time - Register here.