Parents Concerned Over Education Department Cuts Impacting Special Needs Students

In Albania, the inclusive education system struggles to provide appropriate teaching materials for children with intellectual disabilities, resulting in significant challenges for affected families. The Albanian Ministry of Education has approved a new textbook developed for these children, but piloting in inclusive schools has stalled due to a lack of agreement among stakeholders. Meanwhile, in the United States, the Trump administration's executive order to cut the U.S. Department of Education's workforce by half has raised concerns among parents of students with special needs. In Central Florida and San Antonio, families worry that these layoffs will severely impact services and protections for their children, particularly those requiring individualized education plans and additional resources. Advocates emphasize that the reduction in federal oversight could jeopardize the education and support systems that are crucial for students with disabilities. The potential dismantling of the Department of Education has ignited debates around educational equity and accountability.