M. Patton
Jul 27, 2025
Current events in Advocacy for Special education
Welcome to the July edition of the M. Patton Special Education Advocacy & Consulting newsletter! This month, we’re diving into some critical developments that directly impact families navigating special education. From major legislation aimed at improving teacher and paraeducator pay, to deeply concerning federal actions threatening disability rights and educational protections — there’s a lot to unpack. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or advocate, my goal is to keep you informed, empowered, and equipped to take action. Let’s walk through the updates, tools, and resources that can help you advocate more confidently and effectively for your child.
Executive Order Targets Homeless Individuals with Disabilities
A new Executive Order released in July 2025 calls for sweeping efforts to remove homeless individuals from public spaces — by expanding civil commitment and pressuring states to reduce “housing-first” models. This disproportionately impacts disabled individuals, especially those with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or co-occurring conditions.
Why It’s a Problem:
Undermines community-based supports and the civil rights of disabled Americans
Circumvents key protections under Section 504, and the ADA
Disability rights organizations like the National Disability Rights Network and the Bazelon Center have condemned this order as regressive and harmful to public health and disability justice.
Pay Teachers & Pay Paraeducators Acts Could Help Special Ed Students
There’s also good news out of Congress!
Three major bills have been introduced to raise salaries and provide better support for the educators and paraeducators who serve our kids every day:
Pay Teachers Act (Sen. Bernie Sanders)
Sets a federal minimum teacher salary of $60,000
Provides supply stipends and more support for Title I and special ed programs
Pay Paraeducators & Support Staff Act (Sen. Ed Markey)
Aims for $45,000/year pay minimum for paraprofessionals
Promotes training and fair working conditions
Paraeducator Bill of Rights – H.Res. 297 (Rep. Jahana Hayes)
Calls for living wages, benefits, and protections for school support staff
Why It Matters to You: Better pay and support = better services, less turnover, and more consistency for students with IEPs.
ADA Turns 35 – But Its Funding Is Under Threat
While the Americans with Disabilities Act marks its 35th anniversary this year, disability rights groups are warning of major budget cuts to key programs:
Proposed federal cuts could slash up to 60% of annual funding for Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies, the legal teams that protect your child’s right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Why It Matters: These agencies help parents like you file complaints, understand legal rights, and protect students with disabilities from discrimination.
Spotlight: Department of Education Watchdog Ousted — What It Means for Families
In a deeply troubling move, the current administration has removed the Department of Education’s top internal watchdog, a position designed to independently investigate misconduct, policy violations, and civil rights concerns within the DOE. The Department of Education Inspector General reports on various issues related to the departments operations. The ( OIG) focuses on proper implementation of special education or IDEA regulations, proper use of funds, and addressing issues like significant disproportionality and improper payments. This role has been especially critical in monitoring how schools uphold their obligations under IDEA, Section 504, and other disability-related laws.
The watchdog had been conducting inquiries into systemic failures, including:
Delayed or denied evaluations for students with disabilities
Noncompliance with IEP implementation
Declining oversight of state education agencies
Past attempts by prior administrations to dismantle the Department of Education entirely
By eliminating this oversight, families lose a key layer of accountability and protection — especially when schools fail to meet their legal obligations. It also weakens the department’s ability to investigate discrimination and enforce corrective actions.
Why It Matters to You
Parents often rely on external complaints to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or the Department of Education Inspector General when local resolution fails. With this oversight role removed or weakened:
Accountability decreases for schools and state agencies.
Federal protections may be harder to enforce.
Families have fewer safeguards when school systems violate student rights.
What You Can Do
Share this information with other families and educators.
Contact your representatives and demand restoration of independent education oversight
What Can You Do for Special Education Advocacy
Call your reps — Support the education funding bills and oppose forced institutionalization
Share your story — Real examples matter when policies are debated
Stay informed — Policy changes affect how IEPs are delivered, who supports your child, and what services are even available
Your voice is powerful. Advocacy doesn’t stop at the school doors — it extends to the state house, Congress, and beyond. It is imperative advocates and parents alike maintain our awareness, diligence and advocacy.