sade096

The Trump administration plans to merge the federal departments of Education and Labor.   The proposal is part of a  132-page document  outlining a broad restructuring of the federal government.  The consolidation would create, within the new department, four subagencies, including one called the American Workforce and Higher Education Administration.   The proposal would also create subagencies devoted to K-12 education, research/evaluation/administration, and enforcement.   Here is an NPR story about the proposal. Here is the plan . Here is statement by Education Secretary DeVoss about the plan. So what do you think? Is this a solid policy decision to eliminate duplication, or a cynical attempt to lead to the elimination of one or both federal agencies, or something else?

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) recently filed a suit against the U.S. Department of Education over changes to the Education Department's rules for civil right investigations. In March 2018, the federal Department of Education amended the office for Civil Rights Case Processing Manual unilaterally. The changes include new provisions to require dismissal of certain complaints and the elimination of complainants’ right to appeal OCR decisions.  OCR has a Case Processing Manual specifying how its offices respond to complaints. In changes made recently, ED mandates that complaints by anyone who has previously filed a pattern of complaints will be dismissed without investigation. The changes also eliminate the appeals rights of complainants.  The actual complaint filed in the U S District Court fro the District of Maryland is available here.H...

On December 21st, the U S Senate  confirmed the nomination of Johnny Collett as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Mr. Collett previously served as the Director of Special Education Outcomes at the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), where he worked to support states in their efforts to raise expectations and improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. Previously, he served as Director of the Division of Learning Services and State Director of Special Education at the Kentucky Department of Education as well as worked as a high school special education teacher. Collett's nomination was widely praised by stakeholders; for example here is the statement by the National Disability Rights Network. Here is an interview with the new Assistant Secretary in April, 2017. Here is an article on him in Disability Scoop.   Here is  his opening statement before the HELP committee of the House of Representatives. Her...