Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates

The U.S. Department of Education has reduced federal monitoring of state special education systems, visiting fewer than half of scheduled states for 2025-2026 reviews. The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) warns this could leave states unreviewed for 25 years, risking gaps in compliance oversight. The Trump administration plans to transfer special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, a move opposed by COPAA and facing potential congressional scrutiny.

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.

The Trump administration's recent actions, including shifting special education oversight to the Health and Human Services Department led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the Department of Justice lowering barriers to institutionalizing people with disabilities, have raised concerns among advocates. Critics argue these moves signal a return to the 'medical model' of disability, which views disabilities as defects rather than differences requiring accommodation.

The Trump administration's actions, including shifting special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and lowering barriers to institutionalizing people with disabilities, have raised concerns among advocates about a regression toward marginalizing disabled individuals. Critics argue these moves align with a 'medical model' of disability, contradicting decades of progress toward inclusive education and community living.