Overview

• U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary order blocking Education Department reductions in force that unions challenged in court.
• A filing said 466 employees received RIF notices, with the Office of Special Education Programs reduced from about 90 staff to “no more than a handful,” and further cuts reported at RSA and OCR.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon argued the shutdown shows schools operate without the federal department and said education authority should return to states.
• McMahon asserted that no education funding is affected by the RIFs, and IDEA grants were disbursed on Oct. 1, though future administration and oversight remain unclear.
• Disability advocates and state special education leaders warned that weakened staffing risks inconsistent IDEA enforcement and noted the ruling is expected to face appeal.