February 17, 2025
With the start of the Trump administration, there have been many headlines regarding the dismantling of the United States Department of Education. As of our writing, news sources are reporting that the administration is preparing to close or at least significantly shrink it. While headlines are changing daily, we wanted to highlight some key discussions happening and how these decisions may impact people with dysgraphia.
What does the U.S. Department of Education do?
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) was established in its current form in 1979 [S. 210 accessed 2/6/25], but the history of federal involvement in education dates back to 1867 [Federal Role in Education, accessed 2/6/25]. Currently, ED oversees programs impacting learners from birth through adulthood such as providing student loans and grants, funding education research and evaluation, and protecting the civil rights of students, including those with disabilities. ED does not set school curricula. The programs of learning in schools are set at state and school district levels, not at the federal level. However, ED funding is often used to support teacher salaries, benefits, and professional development.
One of the main funding areas for ED is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides money to help districts serve students with disabilities. In fiscal year 2024, more than $15 billion was authorized for IDEA. The funds are provided to schools through IDEA in order to ensure that all children receive free appropriate public education (FAPE), which often happens through individualized education programs (IEPs). Here are some examples of how these funds support students with disabilities:
Appropriate curriculum development and related books, supplies and other materials
Assistive technology
Staffing, such as IEP coordinators, special education teachers, and occupational therapists
Professional training for teachers and other staff who work with students with learning disabilities
What has happened already?
Committee confirmation hearing for Secretary of Education
On Thursday, February 13, McMahon went before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing. During her questioning, she stated that the IDEA may be best positioned under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), given the focus on disabilities.
Cuts to the Institute of Education Studies (IES)
Over $1 billion in contract funding has been canceled under IES so far, which funds research to understand what educational programs and approaches work for students and to understand student achievement and education trends.
What are we paying attention to next?
Executive order
As of February 17, the Trump administration is drafting an executive order to abolish ED. It likely will not be released until after the Secretary of ED is confirmed by the full Senate (the date has not yet been set for this), but President Trump has been explicit about his goals. While dissolving the department is unlikely (that would require Congress to vote to end it and previous votes have failed), we’ll be looking at the details of the executive order to understand what impact it might have on education.
IDEA
As mentioned, McMahon may try to move IDEA to HHS, but that doesn’t mean IDEA is safe from cuts or changes that can decrease its effect. For example, the Project 2025 political initiative supports converting the funding for IDEA to more general “no strings attached” grants that would go to the states and local education agencies to manage as they wish. This could weaken oversight and enforcement of IDEA and lead to decreased support of special education programs.
Impact on funding to underserved schools
While the Trump administration says that contract cuts are meant to decrease waste and are targeting programs with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) components that the administration does not support, underserved schools may feel the impact the most. Students with learning disabilities in under-resourced schools may already be impacted by teacher shortages, lack of appropriate accommodations because of restricted budgets, and other issues.
We’ll be watching these proposals carefully.
What can you do?
We are in a period of uncertainty and there is a lot we don’t know right now. What we do know is that ED plays a critical role in ensuring that students with learning disabilities - including dysgraphia - get the education they need. From our perspective, this is not a partisan issue: Creating a situation where students with learning disabilities fall through the cracks is not good for anyone. We encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and share your experience with them. Ask them to ensure that support for students with learning disabilities remains strong, regardless of what happens to the Department of Education.
As we frequently say, your story can drive change. You can find the contact information for your elected officials here.
Sources:
McMahon, Trump’s pick for schools chief, says local control has its limits
Can the President Dismantle the Department of Education by Executive Order?
DOGE cuts $900 million from agency that tracks American students’ academic progress
Trump administration targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts
Project 2025: Department of Education Chapter
At McMahon's confirmation hearing, it was the Education Department on trial
DOGE rips through Education Department, cutting contracts, staff and grants
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