Washington Update, August 13, 2025
Dear Colleagues:
The past six weeks have been a whirlwind for federal education policy. On July 1, the U.S. Department of Education withheld nearly $7 billion in formula funding that should have gone to states — freezing dollars for programs like Title II-A, Title III-A, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The hold lasted for weeks, creating ripple effects in hiring, professional development schedules, and program launches.
After sustained pressure from states, advocacy groups, and members of Congress, some funds were released in late July, with the rest following in early August. But the disruption was real — and it has deepened concerns that even when Congress appropriates funding, it may not be distributed without a fight.
Meanwhile, the Senate has passed its own Labor-HHS-Education bill, the House has yet to act, and credible reports suggest that hundreds of IDEA Part D grants — including Personnel Preparation awards — are under review for potential early termination. All of this is unfolding as the administration moves aggressively to “return education to the states” and reframe the federal role.
Make sure to check out TEDS Updated Policy Toolkit. Use this dynamic document to access information about current advocacy efforts underway and how you can contribute!
Without further ado, lets dive in…
1. Senate Passes Labor-HHS-Education Bill — But the House Holds the Next Card
In late July, the Senate passed its FY25 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill with provisions that protect key education programs. IDEA Part B state grants see a modest increase, the IDEA block grant is maintained, and IDEA Part D — including Personnel Preparation — remains funded. Title I, Title II-A, Title III-A, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers also receive modest increases or flat funding.
This is a step in the right direction, but it’s only half the process. The House must produce its own bill, and if last year’s draft is any indication, it could contain deep cuts to education funding. That bill never reached the floor, likely to avoid politically costly votes, but its contents revealed a willingness to significantly scale back federal support. This year, similar proposals could emerge — and even if both chambers pass bills, distribution of funds is not guaranteed without ongoing advocacy.
2. Senator Capito (+10 Republicans) Letter — Using the Gavel to Demand Action
During the July freeze, Senator Shelley Moore Capito — now serving as Chair of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee — used her position to press the administration to release funds Congress had already appropriated. On July 16, she sent a letter to OMB Director Russell Vought, making clear that withholding these dollars was unacceptable and directly harmful to states, schools, and communities.
Senator Capito’s message was pointed: the delay threatened after-school programs, adult education, English learner services, and local economies — and it undermined the very goal that Republicans have championed of “returning education to the states.” As Chair, she reminded the administration that Congress’s intent was clear, and that the executive branch’s role is to execute that intent without political slow-walking.
The result was tangible. Within days, the administration released $1.4 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers — a direct example of how targeted, high-level pressure within the majority party can move the needle quickly.
3. IDEA Part D Under Review — Transparency, Context, and Preparedness
First, it is important to be clear: we have nothing in writing to suggest that any or all IDEA Part D programs will be eliminated beyond what is outlined in the recent Executive Order. No official notices have been issued. However, in the interest of transparency — and to ensure our community is prepared for advocacy if needed — we want to share what we are hearing and monitoring closely.
There are reports that an AI-assisted review of IDEA Part D grants is underway, examining applications for certain terms or themes, including some related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Observers have suggested that hundreds of awards could be under scrutiny, with potential implications for personnel preparation programs, technical assistance centers, and parent centers.
The recently issued Executive Order now allows grants to be ended “for convenience” if they are determined not to align with current administration priorities. In addition, there have been reports and suggestions that new OSEP leadership may be considering different interpretations of “Least Restrictive Environment,” which some believe could create space for more segregated, disability-specific school options. While no formal policy change has been announced, the combination of these reviews and discussions has raised understandable concern in the field.
If early terminations were to occur, the potential impacts could be significant — from the loss of graduate preparation slots and faculty capacity to fewer trained specialists entering schools. This would be especially challenging at a time when the need for highly prepared special educators is both urgent and well-documented.
What we can do now:
This is where our collective advocacy becomes essential. The TED Policy Committee has already circulated an updated Advocacy Toolkit with talking points, call and email templates, and core messages. We will continue to issue Washington Updates to keep members informed of developments in both the budget process and program-level reviews. Faculty and program leaders can use these resources to brief colleagues, share program impact stories, and connect with members of Congress. By working from the same facts and speaking with a unified voice, we strengthen our ability to safeguard the programs that sustain our field. And as always, never hesitate to reach out to me directly---and if I don’t get back to you in a timely fashion, give me another nudge please.
4. Secretary McMahon’s 50-State Tour — Shaping the Federal Role
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has launched a 50-state tour aligned with President Trump’s directive to close the Department of Education and return authority to the states. The tour began in Louisiana with state Superintendent Cade Brumley, Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, and Rep. Julia Letlow.
Secretary McMahon has positioned the effort as a way to identify best practices and compile toolkits for governors — encouraging competition between states while avoiding federal mandates:
“Some states are making real progress, others could benefit from knowing what’s working elsewhere. Governors are competitive — when one state is doing well, others want to see why. These toolkits will give them options without mandates.”
While framed as knowledge-sharing, the tour signals a potential narrowing of the Department’s role to that of an adviser rather than a regulator — with implications for IDEA enforcement and federal program oversight.
5. Where We Are Now — and Why Your Voice Matters
We are approaching the September 30 budget deadline with overlapping risks: a House bill that could propose deep cuts, an Administration that has already demonstrated its willingness to withhold appropriated funds, and an ongoing review that could eliminate vital IDEA Part D programs.
This is the time for faculty to be visible. Document your program’s scale and impact, collect stories that humanize the data, and secure letters of support from your institutions and partners. Invite policymakers to visit your programs and meet your candidates. Use op-eds, social media, and professional networks to connect IDEA Part D to community prosperity and workforce readiness.
This summer has shown that advocacy works — and quickly. Senator Capito’s letter is proof that well-timed pressure can release billions in stalled funding. The Senate’s appropriations bill proves that bipartisan agreement on IDEA’s importance is possible even in a charged political climate.
Our job now is to ensure those wins carry through the House, that appropriated dollars actually reach the field, and that IDEA Part D remains strong. When we speak up together, we are not just defending programs — we are protecting futures.
With appreciation and resolve,
Kait
@brennan_kait
Posted:
13 August, 2025
Category:
