U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced on June 16 a new federal partnership aimed at improving services and protections for individuals with disabilities, marking the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
McMahon said that more than 8 million individuals are currently served under IDEA, which guarantees early intervention and a free appropriate education—more than double the number since its passage in 1975. She described celebrating this milestone at an elementary school and reflected on how the law has opened doors for children who were once excluded from public education.
Despite these achievements, McMahon said challenges remain for families navigating special education systems. “As many reading this can attest, families still navigate a difficult day‑to‑day reality,” she said. Over recent months, her team held listening sessions with parents, educators, state officials, and advocates to better understand current needs. These conversations highlighted both the importance of IDEA’s protections and ongoing difficulties in accessing timely and appropriate services.
McMahon said that while the Trump Administration is reducing federal micromanagement where it hinders success, it remains committed to effective oversight where essential. She announced partnerships with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support administration of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), as well as collaboration with the Department of Justice to strengthen enforcement by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The goal is to break down bureaucratic barriers and improve coordination across agencies serving people with disabilities.
She assured parents that legal responsibilities under IDEA will not change: “No partnership can alter OSERS’ or OCR’s legal responsibilities, or the rights individuals are afforded under federal law,” she said. She also stated that OSERS and OCR will maintain their independent statutory functions without interruption.
McMahon emphasized continued funding commitments under IDEA. “President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes a request for a historic increase of more than half a billion dollars above the previous appropriation Congress made for special education services,” she said. A new $144 million boost was also recently announced for state and local IDEA programs.