Trump further guts Education Dept. by shifting oversight of special ed, civil rights

Education Trump further guts Education Dept. by shifting oversight of special ed, civil rights June 16, 20261:04 PM ET By  Jonaki Mehta ,  Cory Turner Education Secretary Linda McMahon is at the center of the Trump administration's work to dismantle the agency she runs, the U.S. Department of Education. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Two of the U.S. Department of Education's biggest responsibilities will shift to other federal agencies: safeguarding student civil rights and supervising programs for students with disabilities. The Trump administration said Tuesday it will move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). OSERS manages programs that support students with disabilities, offering guidance and oversight to ensure states follow the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a law that guarantees disabled students access to an equitable public education. It also provides funding and services related to job training and independent living skills for people with disabilities. Sponsor Message The administration announced it would also move the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the U.S. Department of Justice. OCR's staff of civil rights attorneys are tasked with protecting students in K-12 schools and universities from discrimination based on disability, gender, race and national origin. OCR has been in tumult for months, targeted repeatedly by the Trump administration for staff cuts, then reversals of those cuts. The moves to HHS and DOJ would further dismantle an agency that President Donald Trump has vowed to close, and it would leave the Education Department with a shrinking number of responsibilities. In a letter obtained by NPR, the Education Department's Kim Richey, who is assistant secretary for civil rights, said the shifts are part of an administration c...