Leaders Sound the Alarm on the State of Special Education at IDEA Town Hall
Leaders from six national nonprofit organizations dedicated to the education of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities joined over 1,300 participants at a Tuesday town hall to protect the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Chad Rummel, executive director of CEC, kicked off the meeting by describing recent actions that have significantly reduced the ability to implement IDEA, including the October 10 termination of nearly every special education expert at the Department of Education and the ongoing discussion of moving all functions related to IDEA to the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Supporting students with disabilities isn’t political—it’s personal,” remarked Rummel. “Teachers work with students with disabilities every day. We know their strengths, their challenges, and what they need to thrive. This is about making sure we have the tools and support to help every child succeed.”
Principals from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the Center for Learner Equity, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, the Arc of the US, and the National Down Syndrome Congress joined CEC. Each discussed the reasons their organizations and memberships are concerned with ongoing headwinds against educating children with disabilities. The town hall also included a call to action for participants to raise their voices in support of IDEA.
View, use, and share an accompanying toolkit to join in collective action to save IDEA.