A large number of staff at the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) were recently fired, effectively dismantling that agency. Without OSEP, Utah’s families face the potential risk of loss of services for their children with disabilities. One of OSEP’s primary functions is to provide the capacity and support to states to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the nation’s special education law.
A federal judge has temporarily reversed the decision. Although this is a temporary win, the threat of dismantling still looms over the department.
I can attest that IDEA opens doors for children with disabilities. Not only am I a special education teacher, but I was also a child with a disability. Children like me can learn and become highly effective members of society. Funding for special education has already been increasingly underfunded over the years. Now special education faces a dilemma: There will be no one at the OSEP office to authorize the funding distribution to our state. This funding amounts to approximately $142.6 million, which we receive annually for special education. Without OSEP, states will face greater challenges administering this groundbreaking law, putting educational access for children with disabilities in jeopardy.
Special education teachers across the state will continue to provide high-quality education to their students because that is our mission. But without the support of experts at OSEP, implementation of IDEA will quickly erode. I urge Utah lawmakers to protect our students with disabilities.
If you would like to share your thoughts with Utah Legislators, please consider going to http://exceptionalchildren.org/lac?vvsrc=/Campaigns/130718/Respond.
Camilo Gomez
Special Education Teacher, Utah CEC President Elect