Overview

• A Justice Department filing reported more than 460 Education Department employees laid off during the shutdown, with an AFGE lawsuit citing a total of 466.
• Union and internal accounts say the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services was reduced to a handful of top officials and support staff, putting IDEA oversight at risk.
• Government lawyers said roughly 4,200 federal jobs were eliminated across agencies in the same action, while nearly 90% of Education Department staff remain furloughed.
• Employees who received notices were told they remain on the rolls until Dec. 9.
• Unions challenge the legality of gutting OSERS, noting federal law requires an Office of Special Education Programs, as the White House signals a future HHS role that has not yet begun.