USCCR Report Identifies Civil Rights Threats for Students with Disabilities

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) conducted a yearlong investigation into how the nationwide shortage of qualified teachers—especially in special education—has affected the rights and educational outcomes of students with disabilities. Results appear in a new publication titled The Federal Response to Teacher Shortage Impacts on Students with Disabilities. The report warns that the consequences of special education teacher shortages extend far beyond the classroom. Students with disabilities are experiencing lower achievement, diminished graduation rates, and limited future employment prospects. The report concludes that these shortages undermine access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) guaranteed under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persistent underfunding of IDEA, weak federal oversight, and a lack of comprehensive national data further compound the problem. 

Without stronger leadership, sustained funding, and coordinated data collection, the report contends that the U.S. cannot ensure educational equity for students with disabilities—a failure that threatens both individual opportunity and the nation’s broader commitment to civil rights. Although the Commissioners did not reach a consensus on what actions should be taken, the report offers expert recommendations regarding next steps.

Read the report here.