IEP impact / from Musk & DoE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The federal government is supposed to pay 40% of the costs of special education but in actuality only funds between 13-14% of special ed costs.

What do local districts and states get for this 13-14%? A mountain of needless paperwork and bureaucrats who are not directly teaching special education students or providing any services.

Here is one example - The federal gov't added a requirement that special ed students take the same assessments and their progress is tracked. (It is laughable that this has accomplished anything, but that is another topic). So California said in order to track preschool special ed students ages 3-5 we will require teachers to fill out a 50+ question survey called the DRDP for each student just like public preschools have to do for general ed students. So that makes sense.

Well, now California has added grade for 4 -5 year olds called transitional kindergarten (TK) on elementary school campuses. None of the TK students in general ed are being rated, but since it was written down that the feds would receive this data for 4-5 year olds, CA said it has to still be completed for special ed. students. So special education teachers and speech therapists are having to spend hours and hours getting trained to complete this 50+ question rating scale that NO ONE is going to use - not parents and not teachers. It is just a box that is being checked for federal compliance. And the questions are all like this:

Keep in mind this is one of 50+ questions

ATL-REG 4: Curiosity and Initiative in Learning
Pick one option:

Responds to people, things, or sounds

Notices new or unexpected characteristics or actions of people or things

Explores people or things in the immediate environment

Explores new ways to use familiar things, including simple trial and error

Explores through simple observations, or manipulations, or asking simple questions

Explores by engaging in specific observations, manipulations, or by asking specific questions

Carries out simple investigations using familiar strategies, tools, or sources of information

Carries out multi-step investigations, using a variety of strategies, tools, or sources of information

This took a special education teacher 16 hours to get trained and to fill out this form for four TK students on her caseload. She has 19 other students on her caseload. Time she could have spent on direct instruction. So plenty of people are hoping some of the bureaucracy goes away while more direct services are provided.

This sounds like a great idea (I’m not sure your leader agreed, since these kinds of programs are also funded by some of the grants that have been frozen, by the way).

I don’t think anyone is against helpful reform in all of these agencies. You do understand that the money saved from this won’t go to direct services for our kids, right? You can reform a department without ending it.

And sending “enforcement” of IDEA across the street will lead to little or no enforcement of these civil rights’ laws passed and funded by CONGRESS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The federal government is supposed to pay 40% of the costs of special education but in actuality only funds between 13-14% of special ed costs.

What do local districts and states get for this 13-14%? A mountain of needless paperwork and bureaucrats who are not directly teaching special education students or providing any services.

Here is one example - The federal gov't added a requirement that special ed students take the same assessments and their progress is tracked. (It is laughable that this has accomplished anything, but that is another topic). So California said in order to track preschool special ed students ages 3-5 we will require teachers to fill out a 50+ question survey called the DRDP for each student just like public preschools have to do for general ed students. So that makes sense.

Well, now California has added grade for 4 -5 year olds called transitional kindergarten (TK) on elementary school campuses. None of the TK students in general ed are being rated, but since it was written down that the feds would receive this data for 4-5 year olds, CA said it has to still be completed for special ed. students. So special education teachers and speech therapists are having to spend hours and hours getting trained to complete this 50+ question rating scale that NO ONE is going to use - not parents and not teachers. It is just a box that is being checked for federal compliance. And the questions are all like this:

Keep in mind this is one of 50+ questions

ATL-REG 4: Curiosity and Initiative in Learning
Pick one option:

Responds to people, things, or sounds

Notices new or unexpected characteristics or actions of people or things

Explores people or things in the immediate environment

Explores new ways to use familiar things, including simple trial and error

Explores through simple observations, or manipulations, or asking simple questions

Explores by engaging in specific observations, manipulations, or by asking specific questions

Carries out simple investigations using familiar strategies, tools, or sources of information

Carries out multi-step investigations, using a variety of strategies, tools, or sources of information

This took a special education teacher 16 hours to get trained and to fill out this form for four TK students on her caseload. She has 19 other students on her caseload. Time she could have spent on direct instruction. So plenty of people are hoping some of the bureaucracy goes away while more direct services are provided.

This sounds like a great idea (I’m not sure your leader agreed, since these kinds of programs are also funded by some of the grants that have been frozen, by the way).

I don’t think anyone is against helpful reform in all of these agencies. You do understand that the money saved from this won’t go to direct services for our kids, right? You can reform a department without ending it.

And sending “enforcement” of IDEA across the street will lead to little or no enforcement of these civil rights’ laws passed and funded by CONGRESS.

A pointless assessment forced on teachers by the department of education does NOT sound like a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think some functions will be moved to HHS?

Yes, this. IDEA and special needs was at HEW before it was split into HHS and ED. So programs like that simply get shipped across the street. Civil rights concerns go to HHS general counsel's office or DOJ. Student loans go back to the states. It's very doable.

What makes you think this is the plan?

[Anonymous]

What about us DC folks? Gutting DOE sounds like a recipe for educational funding being held hostage by Congress. Will DC be given more (or less?) autonomy than it currently has over district spending. I suppose it’s all speculation at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, our county seems to only spend money *creating* an IEP. They offer scant services, and don’t fulfill them. So maybe some restructuring will be good

Federal law is why we have special education -IDEA and ADA and Section 504. But schools receive little to no federal funding for federally mandated services and resources. The upset public and parents blame education failures on states and schools and staff. Yet Federal funding should be increased if there are federal mandates in order for public schools to be successful.

I think trump will remove federal mandates (IDEA) so he can remove federal funding of education. He wants to reduce federal involvement in education. And he was elected by the people of our country, which is the (even more) scary part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m beyond livid at how stupid people are.
If you have a child with an IEP they will be affected by Musk/MAGA shutting down the Dept of Education.

I’m a speech therapist. I worked for VB schools for 2 years. Let me be clear: Federal funding is attached to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) the law that gives your child IEP services. Which is overseen by the Dept of Education. Call your senator, representatives and the VA state governor, Youngkin (who is running ads to shut down the Dept of Ed).

[b]



Dear OP. Please check your asumptions before posting again. Too many moms are pisting hysterical nonesense, which helps no one.

IEPs and 504 plans are protected by federal law under IDEA and Section 504, independent of the Department of Education's structure. Even if the Department changes, these protections remain intact.

The school district and its team issues the IEP not ED. The state supervises the school district and the school. There will be no change even if Congress agrees with Trump and abolishes the deoartment. IDEA protection and enforcement will go back to HHS (where it came from, HEW) or enforcement can go to DOJ. That is all.

Trump can overturn IDEA just like he overturned Roe versus Wade. That is what his intention is. No federal mandates or involvement or funding. States have ALWAYS needed more federal funding to follow IDEA and implement FAPE and special education.

He’s giving states the path to get rid of special education. Wait for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, our county seems to only spend money *creating* an IEP. They offer scant services, and don’t fulfill them. So maybe some restructuring will be good

I kind of agree. We already pay for outside tutoring/services since the ones provided through our IEP are laughable. Not sure this is going to make much of a difference for us.

This. For those worried about young people from low income families, the current system is terrible. I worked with these youngsters and the woke way that started maybe a decade or two ago was to decide it was racist to put so many young people in special education that were black, Latino, etc so instead they just promised the families services, but there was nothing legally binding because there was no IEP. So in a way this woke way of doing things gave privilege to white students because there wasn't the fear of having too many white kids with IEPs.

Also, the DoE has been a disaster for years. I had a friend who left her job there because she felt there was so much waste with funds.

Ideally I'd like to see all teachers get paid a lot more-special ed and regular. I think it would be easier to retain to good ones and release the ones who are not good at the job. Right now you cannot afford to let people go because there is a shortage. The STs I know will tell you they cannot do a decent job because of the way the schedule and caseload is and they are forming groups of kids with vastly different needs. If you get rid of all the waste, there would be more money to hire more STs. Perhaps the states can manage this better or maybe they can't. The current system is completely broken though and cannot last.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m beyond livid at how stupid people are.
If you have a child with an IEP they will be affected by Musk/MAGA shutting down the Dept of Education.

I’m a speech therapist. I worked for VB schools for 2 years. Let me be clear: Federal funding is attached to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) the law that gives your child IEP services. Which is overseen by the Dept of Education. Call your senator, representatives and the VA state governor, Youngkin (who is running ads to shut down the Dept of Ed).

[b]



Dear OP. Please check your asumptions before posting again. Too many moms are pisting hysterical nonesense, which helps no one.

IEPs and 504 plans are protected by federal law under IDEA and Section 504, independent of the Department of Education's structure. Even if the Department changes, these protections remain intact.

The school district and its team issues the IEP not ED. The state supervises the school district and the school. There will be no change even if Congress agrees with Trump and abolishes the deoartment. IDEA protection and enforcement will go back to HHS (where it came from, HEW) or enforcement can go to DOJ. That is all.

Trump can overturn IDEA just like he overturned Roe versus Wade. That is what his intention is. No federal mandates or involvement or funding. States have ALWAYS needed more federal funding to follow IDEA and implement FAPE and special education.

He’s giving states the path to get rid of special education. Wait for it.

IDEA could stand being overhauled, as it stands there’s too much red tape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m beyond livid at how stupid people are.
If you have a child with an IEP they will be affected by Musk/MAGA shutting down the Dept of Education.

I’m a speech therapist. I worked for VB schools for 2 years. Let me be clear: Federal funding is attached to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) the law that gives your child IEP services. Which is overseen by the Dept of Education. Call your senator, representatives and the VA state governor, Youngkin (who is running ads to shut down the Dept of Ed).

[b]



Dear OP. Please check your asumptions before posting again. Too many moms are pisting hysterical nonesense, which helps no one.

IEPs and 504 plans are protected by federal law under IDEA and Section 504, independent of the Department of Education's structure. Even if the Department changes, these protections remain intact.

The school district and its team issues the IEP not ED. The state supervises the school district and the school. There will be no change even if Congress agrees with Trump and abolishes the deoartment. IDEA protection and enforcement will go back to HHS (where it came from, HEW) or enforcement can go to DOJ. That is all.

Trump can overturn IDEA just like he overturned Roe versus Wade. That is what his intention is. No federal mandates or involvement or funding. States have ALWAYS needed more federal funding to follow IDEA and implement FAPE and special education.

He’s giving states the path to get rid of special education. Wait for it.

IDEA could stand being overhauled, as it stands there’s too much red tape.

THIS. The red tape seems insane. The type of person who wants to be a sped teacher to me seems to be someone empathetic, who believes they can make a difference in the world and maybe their own lives were touched by someone with special needs. That type of person often is not the type of person who enjoys doing tons of paperwork and being a bureaucrat. I understand there needs to be documentation of things and information in writing, but I think a lot of good teachers are getting buried under a pile paperwork, along with extra IEP meetings and complaints and it's not good for anyone. I have seen far too many of the best teachers for our child leave and some leave the profession completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, our county seems to only spend money *creating* an IEP. They offer scant services, and don’t fulfill them. So maybe some restructuring will be good

I kind of agree. We already pay for outside tutoring/services since the ones provided through our IEP are laughable. Not sure this is going to make much of a difference for us.

This. For those worried about young people from low income families, the current system is terrible. I worked with these youngsters and the woke way that started maybe a decade or two ago was to decide it was racist to put so many young people in special education that were black, Latino, etc so instead they just promised the families services, but there was nothing legally binding because there was no IEP. So in a way this woke way of doing things gave privilege to white students because there wasn't the fear of having too many white kids with IEPs.

Also, the DoE has been a disaster for years. I had a friend who left her job there because she felt there was so much waste with funds.

Ideally I'd like to see all teachers get paid a lot more-special ed and regular. I think it would be easier to retain to good ones and release the ones who are not good at the job. Right now you cannot afford to let people go because there is a shortage. The STs I know will tell you they cannot do a decent job because of the way the schedule and caseload is and they are forming groups of kids with vastly different needs. If you get rid of all the waste, there would be more money to hire more STs. Perhaps the states can manage this better or maybe they can't. The current system is completely broken though and cannot last.

I agree with some of your points but do you understand that the GOP-Oligarchy wants to completely destroy public education and is already targeting disabled people? Reform is needed, but they just want to burn it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, our county seems to only spend money *creating* an IEP. They offer scant services, and don’t fulfill them. So maybe some restructuring will be good

I kind of agree. We already pay for outside tutoring/services since the ones provided through our IEP are laughable. Not sure this is going to make much of a difference for us.

This. For those worried about young people from low income families, the current system is terrible. I worked with these youngsters and the woke way that started maybe a decade or two ago was to decide it was racist to put so many young people in special education that were black, Latino, etc so instead they just promised the families services, but there was nothing legally binding because there was no IEP. So in a way this woke way of doing things gave privilege to white students because there wasn't the fear of having too many white kids with IEPs.

Also, the DoE has been a disaster for years. I had a friend who left her job there because she felt there was so much waste with funds.

Ideally I'd like to see all teachers get paid a lot more-special ed and regular. I think it would be easier to retain to good ones and release the ones who are not good at the job. Right now you cannot afford to let people go because there is a shortage. The STs I know will tell you they cannot do a decent job because of the way the schedule and caseload is and they are forming groups of kids with vastly different needs. If you get rid of all the waste, there would be more money to hire more STs. Perhaps the states can manage this better or maybe they can't. The current system is completely broken though and cannot last.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, our county seems to only spend money *creating* an IEP. They offer scant services, and don’t fulfill them. So maybe some restructuring will be good

I kind of agree. We already pay for outside tutoring/services since the ones provided through our IEP are laughable. Not sure this is going to make much of a difference for us.

Yeah you can afford that. some people can only get services in school. Man you guys are awful people

[Anonymous]

People, he is trying to get rid of DEIA (A for accessibility). Hate the IEP process if you want, ask for reform, but getting rid of the DOE is not the answer unless you secretly want to resegregate school

[Anonymous]

Y'all, what's happening is about spending cuts. None of what is going to happen through DOGE is going to result in more $ for special education, either through the states or federally. There will almost certainly be less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People, he is trying to get rid of DEIA (A for accessibility). Hate the IEP process if you want, ask for reform, but getting rid of the DOE is not the answer unless you secretly want to resegregate school

You mean put all the noisy kids in one room? Yes PLEASE!