special education

Los Angeles Unified special education teachers and parents are concerned about large class sizes despite a new union-negotiated limit. The district faces a 7% increase in special education enrollment and 22 open special education teacher positions, raising fears that classrooms will remain overfilled. A new contract includes stipends for teachers in oversized classes, but educators argue more hires are needed to meet legal and educational requirements.

Gov. Gavin Newsom allocated $2.4 billion for California’s public schools as special education enrollment rises. The funding, part of Newsom’s recent budget, includes a 43% increase over last year to support literacy aides and behavioral health assistance.

Governor Gavin Newsom's final education budget for 2026-27 includes funding for community schools, after-school programs, and universal school meals. The budget also allocates $2.4 billion for special education and $5 billion in block grants for districts, while controversially withholding $3.9 billion in Prop. 98 funding and shifting preschool programs to Prop. 98.

The Trump administration's recent actions, including shifting special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and lowering barriers for institutionalizing people with disabilities, have drawn criticism from advocates. These moves are seen as a potential regression to institutionalizing individuals with disabilities, contradicting decades of progress toward community integration and inclusive education.

Ohio public school districts are experiencing teacher shortages linked to reduced state funding and budget challenges. Nationally, over 400,000 teaching positions remain unfilled or staffed by uncertified teachers, with severe shortages in special education, science, and math. Advocates warn that underfunding and systemic threats to public education exacerbate the crisis.

The Trump Administration moved oversight of special education and civil rights enforcement from the Department of Education to two separate agencies. Chalkbeat national editor Erica Meltzer provides an analysis of the changes.

Massachusetts is recognized nationally for strong public education outcomes but faces criticism for failing students with disabilities. Parents report systemic issues with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), including delayed complaint resolutions, inadequate support, and unaddressed concerns about bullying and learning disabilities.

The Trump Administration Education Secretary announced plans to shift special education functions to the Department of Health and Human Services and education-related civil rights functions to the Department of Justice. Senator Tim Kaine and others have raised concerns about these proposed changes.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced changes to federal special education oversight, moving it to the Department of Health and Human Services and civil rights enforcement to the Department of Justice. Parents and advocates criticized the move, arguing it contradicts their concerns about an already fragmented system and could harm students with disabilities.

The Trump administration announced that special education and civil rights oversight will no longer be managed by the Department of Education. This decision shifts responsibilities away from the Education Department, though specific new oversight arrangements are not detailed in the provided text.

The Philadelphia school district plans to phase out its Intensive Learning Support (ILS) program by the end of the school year, aiming to integrate special education students into general education classrooms. Officials claim the change is based on research showing benefits from inclusive education, but teachers and experts express concerns about insufficient resources and potential loss of necessary support for students.