In The Politics of Autism, I write about social services, special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Special Education: Improved Allocation of Resources Could Help DOD Education Activity Better Meet Students' Needs GAO-25-107053.The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) operates DOD's school system and provides special education and related services for about 15 percent of its students worldwide. However, GAO found that related services provided by the military branches for students in overseas locations—such as physical therapy—were often limited or unavailable, resulting in service delays or disruptions. These services are required by students' individualized education programs—legally binding written plans describing the services students are to receive. GAO found delays in service delivery for students in 44 of DODEA's 114 overseas schools for 2022–2023 (see figure). Further, from school years 2018–2019 through 2022–2023, at least six cases took more than a year to resolve. Service delays and disruptions can negatively affect students' academic progress, according to related service providers and parents GAO interviewed.
The Federal Education Association, an NEA affiliate, represents 6,000 educators in 161 schools stateside and overseas for military-connected students—the children of active duty and civilian Department of Defense employees. The schools are administered by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
As part of his “Workforce Acceleration & Recapitalization Initiative,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has proposed eliminating hundreds of positions in DoDEA schools for educators with specialized skills: educational technologists, speech-language assessors, special education assessors, and automation clerks.
The plan shortchanges military-connected students and stretches educators to the breaking point. Tell your members of Congress to take action and stop it!
