When President Donald Trump took office again, the work of the federal office that investigates disability-related discrimination in U.S. schools quickly ground to a halt.
Cases that had been progressing toward mediation or a resolution with school districts were abruptly canceled with no explanation, according to advocates.
Denise Marshall, the CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, a disability rights group, has been fielding worries from parents around the country about it over the past month. In recent weeks, she said staffers at the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights who'd been assigned to investigate students' situations halted communications altogether.
“They were very concerned,” she said.
The Trump administration lifted the pause on Feb. 20, according to an internal memo and an agency spokesperson. Much of the rest of the work of the branch, which plays a key role in curbing discrimination against students and teachers, remains largely in limbo, current and former officials said.
Investigators have resumed looking into complaints that allege just disability-based discrimination, according to the memo, which was signed by Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights. But advocates say they're worried complaints alleging prejudice on multiple fronts, not just based on disability, will stay on hold.
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