On Nov. 29, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) turned 50. For half a century, it has guaranteed progress and opportunity for students with disabilities. Yet recent federal actions threaten to unravel those protections.

Special education must remain within the Department of Education, not shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services. Learning disabilities require educational supports and strategies, not medical treatment. Moving IDEA to Health and Human Services risks reframing learning disabilities as a health issue to be cured and stripping away the educational resources families depend on.

On Nov. 18, Secretary Linda McMahon moved six key offices out of the Education Department — a troubling step toward dismantling the agency. As a parent of two children with disabilities, I am deeply opposed. Weakening the Education Department will directly harm millions of students who rely on federally enforced rights, services and protections. From 2022 to 2023, a total of 7.5 million students received special education services under IDEA.

My own children are living proof of IDEA’s promise. Specialized reading instruction helped my son thrive, and tailored supports guide my daughter daily. IDEA didn’t just give them services, it gave me a voice, and it provides them a future. That promise must not be eroded by shifting responsibility away from the Education Department.

The Education Department’s role is critical. It distributes billions in IDEA funds for teacher training, early intervention, parent resources, research and assistive technology. Without federal oversight, states can, and historically did, divert money away from students with disabilities. Preserving the Education Department’s authority is essential to protecting the rights and futures of millions of children.

Erica Richards
Falmouth