Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union told media

The agency cut almost everyone who works to administer federal funding for the individuals with Disabilities Education Act one person said.

The US Department of Education fired almost everyone in Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in wave of latest layoff that start Friday according to union representing agency employees.

Without official estimate from agency it was not immediate clear how many people in division were fired.

Most employees below the leadership level were part of workforce reduction said Rachel Gittleman the presiden of American Federation of Government Employees local 252.

Secretary McMahon has suggested that oversight of IDEA funding could be better positioned in Department of Health and Human Services rather than agency officially moving it would tak act of Congress though.

In absence of federal wraparound services for students with disabilities Wright Gallo recommended that parent and advocates start paying more attention to help system at local and state level.

Spokesperson for Education Department did not replied to request for comment Saturday Education  Secretary Linda Mcmachon has said multiple time that safeguarding student with disabilities and making sure they access to education resources they are legally entitle to top priority.

“I would like to see even more funding go to states for that”

An Education Department staffer told media agency laid off just about every employees who works to administe funding for individuals with Disabilites Education Act or IDEA the primary federal law supporting student with disabilities.

He was unsure how those program will exist moving forward.

The termination which have struck more that 18 federal companies are part of broader attempt by Trump admi to pressure congressional Democrats to end ongoing government shutdown.

Almost 90% of Education Departments is furloughed too.