Rep. White Calls for Legislative Attention to Federal Changes Affecting Special Education, Civil Rights, and Ohio Students
COLUMBUS - State Rep. Erika White (D–Springfield Township) today called for legislative attention following the Trump Administration’s announcement that it is moving oversight of special education and educational civil rights enforcement out of the U.S. Department of Education and into other federal agencies.
Under the plan, the Department of Justice will assume responsibility for educational civil rights enforcement, while the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education programs currently administered through the Department of Education. More than 300K Ohio students receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that guarantees students with disabilities the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education. The restructuring affects offices responsible for enforcing federal civil rights protections and overseeing IDEA implementation.
“This should concern every legislator in Ohio, regardless of party. Parents rely on these protections to advocate for their children and school districts rely on clear guidance and oversight to meet their obligations. When a system serving hundreds of thousands of students undergoes a major restructuring, we have a responsibility to understand what that means for Ohio,” said Rep. White.
Rep. White emphasized that while IDEA and federal civil rights protections remain federal law, the transfer of responsibilities raises important questions about implementation, expertise, and oversight.
“When responsibilities change, accountability cannot disappear. Families deserve to know who is responsible for protecting students’ rights, investigating complaints, and ensuring services are delivered as promised. If services are disrupted, complaints go unresolved, or students fall through the cracks, Ohio families deserve to know who is accountable,” added Rep. White.
Rep. White noted that IDEA is not simply a funding stream but an educational and civil rights commitment to children and families. Students with disabilities rely on support that extends beyond healthcare and includes classrooms, transportation, extracurricular activities, and equal access to educational opportunities. White is calling on lawmakers, educators, disability advocates, parents, and families to closely examine these changes and ensure that accountability, oversight, and student protections remain strong throughout the transition.
“We cannot afford to wait until problems arise to start asking questions. Legislators should understand not only what is changing, but how those changes will affect the students and families we serve,” concluded Rep. White.
Rep. White remains committed to strengthening public education, expanding opportunities, and advocating for working families throughout Northwest Ohio.