Yes — there have been a significant number of proposed reductions, terminations, and administrative changes under President Trump that impact special education funding and supports for students with disabilities. Some are formal cuts, others are consolidations or shifts that many fear will amount to reduced support for special education.
- Termination of Certain IDEA Part D Grants
- The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) terminated grants totaling over $14.8 million for special education teacher training, parent resource centers, Braille/interpreter training, deaf-blind supports, etc. napsa.com+1
- An additional $3.5 million in grants under the Rehabilitation Services Administration were ended. napsa.com
- Cuts in Teacher Training Grants in California to punish the state
- For example, $600 million in federal teacher training grants that include special education teacher training were cut or terminated in California. EdSource
- Various SELPAs (Special Education Local Plan Areas) projected losses: e.g., $10 million in Tulare County, $4.1 million in San Diego’s South County, etc. EdSource
- Budget Proposals for FY 2026
- The Trump FY 2026 proposes level‐funding for IDEA overall, but also proposes consolidating or collapsing several grant programs (Part D competitive grants, technical assistance, etc.) into the main formula grant (Part B). Learning Forward+3cecpd.exceptionalchildren.org+3K-12 Dive+3
- Some concern that maintaining funding in name isn’t sufficient when inflation, rising costs, or structural changes reduce the real purchasing power or flexibility of the programs. Education Week+2Brookings+2
- Proposals to Shift Oversight or Structure
- There’s a proposal (and concern) to move special education oversight from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services. EdSource+1
- Also, merging or eliminating grant subcomponents under IDEA (like certain competitive grants, parent‐resource centers, etc.) so that states have more discretion but possibly less accountability. K-12 Dive+2cecpd.exceptionalchildren.org+2
- Cutting “Supplemental” or Discretionary Programs
- Some discretionary grants that support special populations (deaf/blind, those needing interpreter training, etc.) have seen cancellation or have been proposed for elimination. opb+3Education Week+3napsa.com+3
- For instance, in Oregon, some disability support / interpreting centers lost grants citing conflicts with new policy priorities. opb
What’s proposed, and what risks or concerns people have identified
- “Flat funding” = de facto cuts: Even when the budget proposal claims to “maintain” or “level‐fund” IDEA, inflation, rising costs (e.g. staff salaries, health benefit costs, materials) mean that a fixed dollar amount is worth less over time. This erodes capacity. Education Week+1
- Loss of oversight/accountability: If programs are consolidated or oversight shifted, there is concern that certain specific protections or supports may no longer be required, or that states may reduce services to save costs. Brookings+1
- Impact on equity, access: Programs targeting smaller or specific disability populations (e.g. deafblind, braille, interpreter services, parent resource centers) are especially vulnerable under competitive grants. Eliminating or reducing them could disproportionately impact students who depend on them. inewsource+3Education Week+3napsa.com+3
The core IDEA Part B formula grant (for school‐age children) is being proposed to be maintained at current levels in many of the budget documents. Education Week+2cecpd.exceptionalchildren.org+2. While we don’t know what a weakened Congress will ultimately do so far, IDEA funding has remained intact in its recent appropriations . CalMatters
*Information has been obtained from ChatGPT and the web.
Early Intervention Services and Special Education for Parents and Grandparents 