Dismantling the Department of Education will impact special education teachers and students.

Project 2025 is a topic that has sparked discussions about the future of special education teachers and students. 

This initiative could lead to significant changes, especially for students with learning disabilities and the teachers who support them. 

Understanding these potential impacts is crucial for parents, educators, and anyone involved in the education system.

The Role of Federal Funding

One of the main concerns with Project 2025 is its proposal to dismantle the federal Department of Education. 

This could mean less funding for special education, where a significant amount of financial support currently comes from the federal level. To put this in perspective:

• State Funding: The state provides about 51% of the funding for public elementary and secondary schools in the United States.
• Federal Funding: On top of that, the federal government provides in 2024, provided $119.1 billion in total funding to K-12 schools, or $2,400 per student.

If the federal funding is reduced, states may face a heavy burden to cover these costs, potentially impacting students who rely on services like Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or special therapies.

Effects on Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers may also feel the ripple effects of these changes. 

Although their salaries come from local districts, the resources available for hiring and training staff could be affected by funding cuts. 

It may lead to fewer teachers available to support students, which can hinder the quality of education provided.

Current Challenges in Special Education

Even before Project 2025, many students in special education faced difficulties. They often perform well below their non-disabled peers. 

That’s to be expected, to an extent. Right? Well, sort of. 

Here is what you have to understand. The majority of students receiving special education services are NOT intellectually disabled. 

Therefore, even if the child comes into special education performing well below his/her peers, the whole purpose is to remediate them. 

The majority of students who do NOT have an intellectual disability can learn to read, write, and do math with the right instruction and time.

However, special education as a whole as we know it, has fallen short of remediating these students. 

The data supports that and that is why you also see so many partial voucher programs. Many states have justified vouchers for students with disabilities.  

Students entering into special education programs with major gaps in traditional and charter schools have not been closing the gap on a large scale.

Parents frequently assume that a traditional school environment will adequately support their child. 

However, many educators find that they simply don’t have the resources to meet the unique needs of every child. 

Whether it is having an appropriate curriculum or time to work on individual skills or work with students one-on-one. 

The Importance of Alternative Education

As the conversation around Project 2025 continues, it may push parents to explore alternative educational settings. 

Whether it’s alternative education environments or tutoring, parents should advocate for their child’s needs.

And I am not a huge fan of charter schools because data says they do an even poorer job educating students with learning disabilities. 

Parents need to know and embrace the following:

• Each child is different; what works for one might not work for another.
• Helping children embrace their unique challenges can build their confidence and prepare them for life outside of school.

The right environment will not only help students master academic skills, but build their confidence without the child having to compare themselves to their gen ed peers. 

Preparing for the Future

Ultimately, the changes brought about by Project 2025 should serve as a wake-up call for parents of children with disabilities. 

It’s important to understand that:

• Awareness: Children may need to work harder than their peers but can still achieve great things.
• Support: Teaching kids to value their strengths helps them face challenges head-on.

Currently, many students struggle with academics but are passed along in the system. 

The emphasis should be on mastering skills rather than moving automatically from grade to grade.

Special Education Teachers & Students

The potential impact of Project 2025 on special education teachers and special education in general raises many questions and concerns. While we cannot predict exactly how things will unfold, it’s clear that both funding and the approach to education may shift. 

Parents and educators must be proactive in advocating for students with learning disabilities, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to succeed. 

The future of these students depends on how we respond to these changes today.

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