Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer its special education programs and civil rights enforcement responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department, respectively. Advocates and former officials expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on students with disabilities and civil rights protections.

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, a move part of President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the department. The transfers include moving special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department, with Democrats arguing the Education Department is better equipped to handle these responsibilities.

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, arguing these moves undermine expertise and harm students with disabilities. The transfers, part of efforts to dismantle the Education Department, would shift responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department.

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, calling it part of President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the department. Critics argue the Health and Human Services and Justice Departments lack expertise to manage these responsibilities, risking harm to students with disabilities and civil rights protections.

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, a move seen as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the department. Critics argued the Health and Human Services and Justice Departments lack the expertise to handle these responsibilities, which include managing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and investigating student discrimination complaints.

Jeffco Public Schools is suing the Trump administration to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from withholding $50 million in federal funding, alleging the Education Department violated the Administrative Procedure Act by changing Title IX interpretations without proper rule-making. The dispute centers on policies related to transgender students' sports participation and field trip accommodations, with the district claiming the department's demands conflict with state anti-discrimination laws and the First Amendment.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools over a teacher accused of making students kiss during a French class skit. The district fired the teacher, and the investigation will examine compliance with Title IX, parent opt-out requests, and notification about the assignment.

Ohio special education advocates express concerns that recent federal changes, including moving the Office of Special Education to HHS and the Office for Civil Rights to DOJ, will complicate services for students with disabilities and undermine the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Critics argue the shift risks stigmatizing students by prioritizing a medical model over educational needs.

The Education Department has rescinded a 1979 policy that allowed statistical disparities to be used as evidence of discrimination in school civil rights investigations. The change takes effect immediately, removing guidance that permitted the Office for Civil Rights to consider data showing disproportionate student outcomes.

The U.S. Department of Education announced regulatory changes that prohibit using demographic data like discipline rates or school admissions to investigate racial discrimination in schools. Critics argue this removes a key tool for identifying systemic bias, while the Trump administration claims prior data use was improper. The change aligns with broader efforts to eliminate disparate impact regulations.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from Republican and Democratic administrations criticize President Donald Trump's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The transfers would shift responsibilities of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, raising concerns about accountability for students with disabilities.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials criticized President Trump's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, arguing it could harm students with disabilities. The proposed moves include shifting responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, drawing opposition from advocates and educators.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) would be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, respectively, as part of a broader plan to reduce the Education Department's role.

The Education Department under the Trump administration faces a massive backlog of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests due to staff cuts. A FOIA group within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education had all eight employees eliminated, contributing to only 3% of 4,900 requests being processed since February 2025. Responsibilities have been offloaded to other agencies, complicating access to records.

Former U.S. Education Department officials from both parties criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The move, part of a broader plan to dismantle the Education Department, would shift responsibilities to HHS and the Justice Department, drawing concerns about accountability for students with disabilities.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. The move, part of a broader plan to dismantle the Education Department, has drawn opposition from advocates and educators who warn it could undermine disability rights and student protections.

The Trump administration's delayed release of federal education data, including the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), is causing concerns among researchers and advocates. The data, crucial for understanding school discipline, student demographics, and equity issues, was expected by December 2025 but remains unreleased. The U.S. Department of Education has already used the data to initiate investigations into school districts.

The Education Department's Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), which tracks student treatment in U.S. schools, is six months overdue under the Trump administration. Advocates express concern as the Trump administration plans to move the Office for Civil Rights (which oversees CRDC) from the Education Department to the Department of Justice, alongside policies targeting diversity initiatives and transgender student athletes.

Two Title IX investigations in Colorado under the Trump administration highlight a shift in enforcement practices, including reduced in-depth interviews and untested interpretations of policies. Denver Public Schools faced a probe over all-gender bathrooms, while Jeffco Public Schools was threatened with losing federal funds over boys' names on girls' sports rosters, which the district attributed to non-athletes.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has issued a Letter of Impending Enforcement against Jefferson County Public Schools for alleged Title IX violations. The school district has responded to the federal letter.

Experts warn that separating oversight of special education and civil rights into different federal agencies will complicate compliance and harm students with disabilities. A 2022 federal warning about 'informal removals' of disabled students from classrooms is now at risk of being diluted under the proposed reorganization.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating three Maryland school districts and the state's education agency over policies allowing transgender students to participate in girls' athletics and use girls-only facilities. The probe, initiated under Title IX, follows complaints alleging sex-based discrimination, with the involved districts and state officials stating they will cooperate while denying fault.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened Title IX investigations into three Michigan school districts—Ann Arbor Public Schools, Monroe Public Schools, and Chippewa Valley Schools—alleging they allow students to participate in sex-segregated athletic teams and use locker rooms based on gender identity. The districts claim compliance with federal law and are cooperating with the Office for Civil Rights, which is transitioning to the Department of Justice.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened Title IX investigations into three Michigan school districts—Ann Arbor Public Schools, Monroe Public Schools, and Chippewa Valley Schools—over allegations they allowed students to participate in sex-segregated athletic teams and use locker rooms based on gender identity. The Education Department alleges unsafe practices violating federal law, while Chippewa Valley Schools stated it would cooperate with the investigation and remains committed to compliance with federal and state laws.

Families of children with disabilities express concerns that the U.S. Department of Education's transfer of civil rights enforcement and special education oversight to other agencies will exacerbate existing delays and inefficiencies. Parents and advocates warn the shift, part of efforts to dismantle the Education Department, risks creating further chaos in resolving complaints about bullying and discrimination.

Families of children with disabilities warn that the U.S. Education Department's transfer of civil rights enforcement and special education oversight to other agencies could worsen delays in addressing complaints. Parents report unresolved cases, with some waiting over two years for resolutions, and advocates argue the changes risk further system instability.

Families of children with disabilities warn that the Education Department's transfer of civil rights enforcement and special education oversight to the DOJ and HHS could exacerbate delays and chaos in an already strained system. Parents like Nicole May report unresolved complaints, while advocates criticize the move for misaligning special education needs with health-focused HHS priorities.

Families of children with disabilities warn that shifting civil rights enforcement and special education oversight from the Education Department to the Justice and Health and Human Services departments could worsen delays in resolving complaints. Parents report unresolved cases lasting over two years, with advocates criticizing the move as detrimental to special education needs.

The U.S. Department of Education announced plans to transfer its special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, as part of efforts to scale back the department under President Donald Trump's administration. The move follows earlier agreements transferring responsibilities to other federal agencies, with the Education Department stating it will continue fulfilling statutory duties.

The Justice Department is investigating the U.S. Department of Education's civil rights cases. Former Office for Civil Rights staff members express concern that the Justice Department's approach might leave some students behind, while Trump officials argue this will not occur.

The Education Department is transferring oversight of special education and civil rights to the Justice Department and HHS, aligning with President Trump's goal to dismantle the department. These moves reduce the Education Department's responsibilities, with the Justice Department handling civil rights enforcement and student privacy, and HHS managing special education programs.

President Trump's administration is transferring key responsibilities of the Education Department to other agencies, including the Department of Justice for civil rights enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services for special education oversight. Advocates warn the changes could disrupt services for at-risk students, including those with disabilities and from marginalized communities.

The U.S. Department of Education announced plans to transfer oversight of special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies under President Trump’s administration. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will shift to the Department of Health and Human Services, while civil rights enforcement will move to the Department of Justice.

The Trump administration is moving the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice. Advocates argue the shift could harm students with disabilities by transferring oversight from education experts to agencies less equipped for non-medical programs.

The U.S. Department of Education announced plans to transfer its special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s administration efforts to scale back federal oversight and return education responsibilities to states.

President Trump's administration is transferring oversight of special education and civil rights in education from the Education Department to the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The changes have drawn criticism from advocacy groups, who argue they will harm accountability and services for underserved students.

President Donald Trump's administration transferred oversight of special education to the Department of Health and Human Services and civil rights enforcement in education to the Department of Justice, reducing the Education Department's functions. Advocates and education unions criticized the move, warning it could harm vulnerable students and create uncertainty in services.

The U.S. Department of Education announced plans to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, as part of efforts to reduce federal oversight. The move aligns with President Trump’s goal of returning education responsibilities to states.

The Trump Administration is transferring special education programs from the Education Department to the Health Department. The Education Department will also move the Office for Civil Rights' anti-discrimination enforcement duties to the Justice Department.

President Donald Trump's administration is transferring oversight of special education and civil rights enforcement from the Department of Education to the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The move, part of broader efforts to reduce the Education Department's role, has drawn criticism from a union representing department employees, who warn it could harm vulnerable students.