Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Cuts Grants that Support People with Disabilities
Twenty-five grants under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and administered through the Office for Special Education Programs (OSEP) were terminated prematurely last Friday after a review found they do not comply with the Administration’s executive orders and priorities.
In termination letters penned by the U.S. Department of Education, grantees were told their projects are “inconsistent with, and no longer effectuate, the best interests of the federal government.” The cancellation notices point to language in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion from grantee applications. Impacted grantees include state deaf-blind technical assistance centers, State Personnel Development Grants, doctoral research grants, parent centers, and a technical assistance center. Nine additional non-continuation letters were sent to grantees served through the Rehabilitative Services Administration, most of which were dedicated to interpreter and braille training projects.
464 OSEP grants are expected to continue to receive funding if grantees agree to certain new terms. Non-continued grantees were notified that funds would end on October 1, and they were granted seven calendar days to appeal.
CEC is a vocal advocate for federal grants that support the field of special education and is concerned with the abrupt cancellation of these grants. We encourage the Administration to continue funding IDEA Part D grants in the manner Congress intended.