What Happens After the Department of Education Closure?

Introduction: Let’s Keep It Real for a Second

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about the Department of Education closure and thinking, “How is this going to affect my child?” — you’re not overthinking it. You’re tuned in.

As a parent of a neurodiverse child, I’ve learned firsthand that having systems in place—like the Department of Education—makes the difference between a child getting what they need and falling through the cracks.

So let’s break this all the way down:

• What did the Department of Education actually do?
• What happens now that it’s closed?
• And most importantly: What can you do to futureproof your child’s education—starting today?

What the Department of Education Actually Did

The Department of Education didn’t just hand out money to schools. It played a crucial role in protecting your child’s rights and ensuring access to education. Here’s what it oversaw:

• 📘 Enforcing IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• 🛡️ Enforcing Section 504 Plans under the Rehabilitation Act
• ⚖️ Protecting civil rights through the Office for Civil Rights
• 💵 Managing special education funding distributed to states
• 🎓 Administering federal student loans (essential for post-secondary planning)

🔎 Did you know? As of the 2022–23 school year, over 7.5 million students—15% of all U.S. public school students—received special education services. These protections and resources were directly tied to the Department of Education.

Without it, who ensures your child’s IEP rights and 504 Plan accommodations are honored? Who handles school civil rights violations?

Where Will Services for Children with Special Needs Go After the Department of Education Closure?

Transfer of Responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Following the executive order to close the Department of Education, federal oversight and administration of programs for children with special needs—including those provided under IDEA—are being shifted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Key Points on the Transition:

• Special Education Programs: Oversight and distribution of over $15 billion in annual IDEA funding is now managed by HHS.
• Civil Rights Enforcement: Disability rights complaints previously handled by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights will now be absorbed by HHS and potentially other agencies, raising concerns about expertise and capacity.
• State and Local Impact: States and local school districts will take on more responsibility for providing services, leading to wide disparities in quality and access.
• Legal Protections: Federal laws like IDEA and Section 504 remain, but without specialized federal oversight, enforcement mechanisms are now uncertain.

Summary Table: Agency Responsibilities Before and After Closure

Concerns and Uncertainties

• Expertise and Capacity: HHS lacks the specialized experience in K–12 education, raising doubts about effective oversight of special education laws.
• Funding and Accountability: It’s unclear if states will maintain previous levels of support or if block grants will dilute accountability.
• Equity and Access: Disparities in services are expected to widen, with some states better equipped than others to maintain protections.

Bottom Line:

Services for children with special needs are transitioning to HHS, with states and local districts expected to shoulder more responsibility. However, significant concerns remain about the continuity, quality, and equity of services, and the future enforcement of civil rights protections for students with disabilities.

For sources and references, see full citations.

So What Can You Do Right Now?

This isn’t about panic—it’s about preparation. If the public education system can’t guarantee support, your next step is to build a strong, personal advocacy plan for your child.

✅ Step 1: Build Your Personal Advocacy Toolkit

• Organize your child’s IEP/504 Plan documents
• Track key team members (teachers, therapists, counselors)
• Save emails, progress notes, evaluations, and incident reports → These materials are critical if you need to escalate to school boards, attorneys, or private education programs.

✅ Step 2: Connect With Parent Advocacy Networks

• Join local or virtual special education parent groups
• Follow trusted education policy organizations and advocates on social media → These networks help you stay updated, feel empowered, and get emotional support from those walking a similar path.

✅ Step 3: Use Ready-Made Tools to Future proof Your Strategy Download the Future proof Checklist—a step-by-step planning tool I created to help you navigate education equity threats.

Looking for more help? Book a 1:1 Future proof Rescue Session (available through May 3).

✔️ We’ll review your child’s educational needs and IEP rights
✔️ Spot the gaps in services and protections
✔️ Build a strategy that puts you in control of your child’s future

🎁 Bonus: Get my full Advocacy Toolkit FREE with your session.

👉🏽 Only 12 spots available. Book nowor Download the checklist here.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This (Even If the System Doesn’t)

Your power as a parent has always been the most reliable safety net.

The system may shift, but your child’s success won’t be determined by politics or the public education collapse. So whether you book a session, download the checklist, or organize IEP documents today—you’re building something stronger than policy. You’re building legacy.

We don’t wait. We prepare. 💪🏽
And if you need someone to walk it with you? I got you.