| Title: |
Students with Disabilities: Early Actions for States in Response to Federal Policy Shifts. A Bellwether Memo |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Krista Kaput; Hailly T. N. Korman; Bellwether |
| Source: |
Bellwether. 2025. |
| Availability: |
Bellwether. 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: 877-636-0909; Web site: https://bellwether.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
25 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Intended Audience: |
Policymakers |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: |
Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Students with Disabilities; Federal Government; Government Role; State Government; Educational Policy; Presidents; Agency Cooperation; State Aid; State Policy; Federal Legislation; Educational Legislation; Equal Education; Access to Education; Early Intervention; Elementary Secondary Education; Financial Support; Educational Research; Services; At Risk Students; Technical Assistance; Faculty Development; Accountability; Compliance (Legal); Special Education; Educational Vouchers |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; Rehabilitation Act 1973 (Section 504); Americans with Disabilities Act 1990; Every Student Succeeds Act 2015 |
| Abstract: |
The first six months of the Trump administration have seen the introduction of many policy and legal actions that affect how the federal and state governments and school districts serve the country's nearly 8 million students with disabilities. This includes staff layoffs, proposed budget cuts, shifts in federal funding, and executive orders. These changes at the federal level come at a time when the education system is grappling with persistent challenges serving and supporting students with disabilities, including teacher shortages and increased costs for services. The federal changes, either enacted or proposed, introduce new risks to stability and services for students with disabilities. State governors, legislators, state education agencies (SEAs), and other education leaders, however, can take steps to mitigate those risks. This memo outlines the historical role of the federal government in educating students with disabilities and how the Trump administration's actions may impact that role. It also outlines actions state leaders can take and strategic questions to consider as they seek to develop, implement, and sustain policies that support students with disabilities. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED677984 |
| Database: |
ERIC |