With the president-elect planning to abolish the DOE, I’m worried about the impact on special education students and teachers. As an RBT working for a private company in a public school, I’m unsure about the implications for our jobs and the students. There’s little discussion about this within our company. What does the potential dismantling of the DOE mean for special education services, particularly for my clients who benefit from DOE regulations to stay in school and avoid suspension?
If the DOE is abolished, its responsibilities might be transferred to other federal departments or delegated to states. However, abolishing it would require a supermajority in Congress, which is unlikely to happen.
@FranklineSamwel3
They could use the nuclear option, allowing them to pass legislation with a simple majority during Trump’s term.
Charlotte1 said:
@FranklineSamwel3
They could use the nuclear option, allowing them to pass legislation with a simple majority during Trump’s term.
How many votes would they need for that?
Charlotte1 said:
@FranklineSamwel3
Just a simple majority after a rule change.
They would still need two-thirds of the Senate to abolish the DOE, which is highly unlikely with only 53 Republican senators.
@FranklineSamwel3
The nuclear option would remove the filibuster, allowing a simple majority vote for legislative changes.
Charlotte1 said:
@FranklineSamwel3
The nuclear option would remove the filibuster, allowing a simple majority vote for legislative changes.
But there’s a difference between a simple majority and a supermajority when it comes to certain legislative actions.
@FranklineSamwel3
The strategy might be to first change the rules to eliminate the need for a supermajority, then move to abolish the DOE.
Gia said:
@FranklineSamwel3
The strategy might be to first change the rules to eliminate the need for a supermajority, then move to abolish the DOE.
How would they go about removing the supermajority requirement?
@FranklineSamwel3
The Senate can change its rules regarding the filibuster, which currently requires 60 votes to overcome. This isn’t up to the president. The president could also reduce the department’s funding significantly.
I’ve written about the possible repercussions on various DOE functions if it’s dissolved. There’s a risk that funding and policy control might shift to states, potentially affecting the uniformity and quality of services like SPED and FSC.
@lucas
Thanks for sharing. How do you think states would handle this transition? Also, what changes could occur with programs like FAFSA if the DOE is dissolved?
FranklineSamwel3 said:
@lucas
Thanks for sharing. How do you think states would handle this transition? Also, what changes could occur with programs like FAFSA if the DOE is dissolved?
States currently have varying commitments to education, which could lead to greater disparities if the DOE is abolished. As for FAFSA, it might be managed by another federal agency, but details would depend on the legislative changes.
@lucas
Interesting perspective, though I doubt businesses would finance education linked to employment. It seems too risky.
FranklineSamwel3 said:
@lucas
Thanks for sharing. How do you think states would handle this transition? Also, what changes could occur with programs like FAFSA if the DOE is dissolved?
Small states might struggle with funding. The local management of special education might lead to inconsistencies. The elimination of the DOE might reduce federal oversight, potentially affecting the quality of education.
@dominic
Your points about local control and funding are valid, but a lack of federal oversight might not necessarily be negative. It could allow for more tailored educational approaches.
Our district receives a minor portion of its SPED funding from the federal government. If the DOE is abolished, local funding measures like levies might become more important.