According to Education Week, the Trump Administration has cut more than $30 million in special education grants to public schools.

Since our son attended high school in Oregon,I wanted to share this news using information from that state:

The U.S. Department of Education is ending grants to programs across Oregon that support students with disabilities, citing practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

The cuts could make it harder for disabled students and their families to access help, especially in some of Oregon’s poorest rural communities. 

The Trump administration cut funds for a statewide program that supports deaf and blind students in districts from Portland to Southern Oregon. 

It moved to end a grant to Western Oregon University for its DeafBlind Interpreting National Training and Resource Center, pointing to its equity policies and writing in an Aug. 27 memo that the administration “has determined that continuation of the project is not in the best interest of the Federal Government.”

The Central Oregon Disability Support Network, which serves more than 4,000 families, also saw its funding cut because of a “conflict with the Department’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education,” according to a memo the nonprofit received. The funding was earmarked for helping students with disabilities and their families navigate special education programs.

“The Trump Administration’s claims to care about the next generation fall flat against the reality that it’s ripping resources out of the hands of students in Oregon and across the nation,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said in a statement Thursday. “This latest attack on critical federal funding for families navigating disability support in rural communities is a stark example of the Administration’s cruelty.”

The Department of Education did not immediately respond to OPB’s request for comment.

This article from Oregon Public Broadcasting, is very concerning. According to the CDC, one in four Americans has a disability which can range from dyslexia to paralysis. It is easy to forget what it was like before students with disabilities were included and received modifications to overcome their disability. Here is what Henry Winkler, or Fonzie from “Happy Days” said about the experience – “They were convinced I was lazy. Not living up to my potential.” He was bullied with nicknames such as “Dumb Dog.”

Let’s not go backwards. Support inclusion in our public schools so that everyone has access to quality education. Fifteen percent of public school students ages 3–21 received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) during the 2022–23 school year, which equals approximately 7.5 million students. These programs enable students to succeed in school so that they can pursue their American dreams.