Legal Update for Special Education Law – Updates from the U.S. Department of Education

Education Department Layoffs Hit Offices that Oversee Special Education and Civil Rights Enforcement

On October 17, 2025, 466 Education Department staffers were laid off amidst an ongoing federal government shutdown. As a result, the Department’s workforce was reduced by nearly a fifth. 

Of special note, nearly all workers were discharged from the office that implements the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, with only a small number of top officials remaining. 

Additionally, many employees of the Office for Civil Rights, which investigates complaints of discrimination at U.S. schools and universities, have been fired; however, the precise number of these employees is unknown. 

Rachel Gittleman, the president of AFGE Local 252, which represents over 2,700 Education Department workers, issued a statement expressing her concern that the layoffs would “double down on the harm to K-12 students, students with disabilities, first generation college students, low-income students, teachers and local education boards.” 

For more information, see: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/education-department-layoffs-hit-…. 

^{Legal Update for Special Education Law – November 2025 is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. We would be pleased to provide such legal assistance as you require on these and other subjects when called upon. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1 Copyright © 2025 Marshall Dennehey, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm. For reprints or inquiries, or if you wish to be removed from this mailing list, contact tamontemuro@mdwcg.com.}