AFT President Randi Weingarten on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ Accusation about Department’s IDEA Website

WASHINGTON—Statement by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ false claim that the Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act website was neglected for four years. Here is a screen shot of a March 2015 document as an example of what has been online.

“Education Secretary DeVos’ statement about IDEA resources being ‘neglected’ on the Education Department’s website over the past four years is patently false. Materials on IDEA.ed.gov were posted and regularly linked to updated materials throughout the Obama administration, though the website could be more easily accessible. My staff and I referred to the resources on a regular basis because they were an excellent source of guidance and information about the federal IDEA law.

“Educators, parents, policymakers and others rely on this website and hope that this administration restores and regularly updates the site. We also expect this administration to commit to full funding for IDEA’s critical services and support personnel so that students with disabilities and special needs receive what they need to succeed.”