If you’re a Washington, DC resident, you’ve likely heard about the city’s $1.1 billion budget shortfall. And, if you’re the parent of a student who receives special education services in DC, you may wonder if it will impact your child’s education and, if so, how. Honestly, it’s hard to tell, and the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Understanding the situation at hand is the first step in advocating for your child.
What’s Happening?
Since DC is not a state and does not have budget autonomy, the DC budget must be approved by Congress every year—even after it is passed by the DC Council and signed by the mayor. Thus, even though DC approved its budget nearly a year ago, is only using local funds, and is halfway through Fiscal Year 2025 (which started on October 1, 2024 and ends September 30, 2025), DC is now facing a massive budget shortfall because the Republican-controlled House of Representatives chose to go into recess before approving the Senate’s fix to D.C.’s 2025 budget.
That inaction has forced the city to operate under last year’s budget, which created a $1.1 billion gap from expected funding that Mayor Muriel Bowser is now trying to close. To deal with the budget shortfall, she has put a freeze on hiring, promotions, overtime pay, and even bonuses. DC government agencies are being asked to prepare for potential furloughs, layoffs, and facility closures.
Why Special Education Could Be Hit Hard?
While the budget shortfall affects everything from sanitation to recreation, it’s especially worrisome for special education. Why? Because special education is already a resource-intensive area that requires trained personnel, individualized planning, and consistent support—which are now at risk. It is deeply reliant on staff, who provide the individualized support to meet students’ unique needs so they can thrive.
With a hiring freeze in place, D.C. public schools may not be able to bring on new special education teachers or paraprofessionals. That’s a big deal because schools already face shortages in these roles. Without adequate staffing, that may cause your child to face larger class sizes, longer wait times for evaluations and assessments, and limited access to specialty services like speech and occupational therapy. Ultimately, students with disabilities might not get the attention or services outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
If furloughs become a reality, current staff could be asked to do more with less—or worse, face time off without pay. This isn’t just a workplace issue; it means that critical services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling might be delayed or reduced. These aren’t “extras.” They’re essential supports that help students thrive.
What About Legal Protections?
As a parent, you know your child’s rights are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These federal laws guarantee a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. But if schools don’t have the staff or resources to meet those obligations because of budget cuts, what happens?
Right now, it remains to be seen whether the D.C. government, DC Public Schools, or individual DC Public Charter Schools will seek federal waivers related to these obligations — and, importantly, whether those waivers would be granted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was significant debate over whether and how to relax certain federal education requirements, and similar questions may soon resurface.
It’s important to note, though, while the federal government did discuss waivers during COVID, none were actually granted that significantly undermined core IDEA protections. If waivers are requested, that could further complicate access to special education services and legal protections for families.
As a parent, this uncertainty can be frustrating — especially when your child’s support systems are on the line.
What You Can Do
This isn’t just about policy — it’s about your child. Special education isn’t a luxury — it’s a right. And in a city facing deep financial cuts, it’s more important than ever to make sure that right is protected.
While the situation is evolving, there are a few things you can do right now:
Stay connected to your child’s school and IEP team.
Document any changes in services or concerns you’re seeing.
Reach out to local parent advocacy organizations for support and updates.
Speak up — whether that means contacting your councilmember, attending school board meetings, or simply sharing your story with other families.
We know how hard you work to make sure your child has the tools they need to succeed. In times like this, your voice matters more than ever. Now’s the time to stay informed and speak out.
Because when we talk about budget cuts, we’re not just talking numbers — we’re talking about kids. Let’s not let them be forgotten in the legislative lingo and fine print.
D.C.’s Budget Crisis: What Parents of Special Education Students Need to Know
By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq.
If you’re a Washington, DC resident, you’ve likely heard about the city’s $1.1 billion budget shortfall. And, if you’re the parent of a student who receives special education services in DC, you may wonder if it will impact your child’s education and, if so, how. Honestly, it’s hard to tell, and the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Understanding the situation at hand is the first step in advocating for your child.
What’s Happening?
Since DC is not a state and does not have budget autonomy, the DC budget must be approved by Congress every year—even after it is passed by the DC Council and signed by the mayor. Thus, even though DC approved its budget nearly a year ago, is only using local funds, and is halfway through Fiscal Year 2025 (which started on October 1, 2024 and ends September 30, 2025), DC is now facing a massive budget shortfall because the Republican-controlled House of Representatives chose to go into recess before approving the Senate’s fix to D.C.’s 2025 budget.
That inaction has forced the city to operate under last year’s budget, which created a $1.1 billion gap from expected funding that Mayor Muriel Bowser is now trying to close. To deal with the budget shortfall, she has put a freeze on hiring, promotions, overtime pay, and even bonuses. DC government agencies are being asked to prepare for potential furloughs, layoffs, and facility closures.
Why Special Education Could Be Hit Hard?
While the budget shortfall affects everything from sanitation to recreation, it’s especially worrisome for special education. Why? Because special education is already a resource-intensive area that requires trained personnel, individualized planning, and consistent support—which are now at risk. It is deeply reliant on staff, who provide the individualized support to meet students’ unique needs so they can thrive.
With a hiring freeze in place, D.C. public schools may not be able to bring on new special education teachers or paraprofessionals. That’s a big deal because schools already face shortages in these roles. Without adequate staffing, that may cause your child to face larger class sizes, longer wait times for evaluations and assessments, and limited access to specialty services like speech and occupational therapy. Ultimately, students with disabilities might not get the attention or services outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
If furloughs become a reality, current staff could be asked to do more with less—or worse, face time off without pay. This isn’t just a workplace issue; it means that critical services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling might be delayed or reduced. These aren’t “extras.” They’re essential supports that help students thrive.
What About Legal Protections?
As a parent, you know your child’s rights are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These federal laws guarantee a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. But if schools don’t have the staff or resources to meet those obligations because of budget cuts, what happens?
Right now, it remains to be seen whether the D.C. government, DC Public Schools, or individual DC Public Charter Schools will seek federal waivers related to these obligations — and, importantly, whether those waivers would be granted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was significant debate over whether and how to relax certain federal education requirements, and similar questions may soon resurface.
It’s important to note, though, while the federal government did discuss waivers during COVID, none were actually granted that significantly undermined core IDEA protections. If waivers are requested, that could further complicate access to special education services and legal protections for families.
As a parent, this uncertainty can be frustrating — especially when your child’s support systems are on the line.
What You Can Do
This isn’t just about policy — it’s about your child. Special education isn’t a luxury — it’s a right. And in a city facing deep financial cuts, it’s more important than ever to make sure that right is protected.
While the situation is evolving, there are a few things you can do right now:
We know how hard you work to make sure your child has the tools they need to succeed. In times like this, your voice matters more than ever. Now’s the time to stay informed and speak out.
Because when we talk about budget cuts, we’re not just talking numbers — we’re talking about kids. Let’s not let them be forgotten in the legislative lingo and fine print.
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