The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is transferring some responsibilities traditionally housed within the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies, including oversight of special education programs and portions of civil rights enforcement.

Local Impact

In Iowa, the administration’s effort to shift authority away from Washington has been met with interest, as the state has played a prominent role in the administration’s education agenda. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Iowa in January, where she joined Gov. Kim Reynolds in signing the nation’s first ‘Returning Education to the States’ waiver.

The waiver allows Iowa to consolidate certain federal education funding streams and spend the money with fewer federal compliance requirements. At the time, Reynolds estimated the flexibility could save the state roughly $8 million in administrative costs.

Disability Rights Concerns

Disability rights organizations argue the shift represents more than an administrative change. Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said her organization has been concerned about the possibility since the Trump administration took office this term.

‘Moving special education into Health and Human Services signifies that disability should be seen in the medical realm only, and as something to be cured,’ Town said. Town argues special education belongs within an education-focused agency because students with disabilities have historically faced exclusion and segregation from mainstream classrooms.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.