NCLD CEO Testifies at Senate Forum on Attacks Against Public Education

Senator Hirono hosts a K-12 Education Spotlight Forum; focused on the continued attacks on K-12 education programs in the United States. The forum will provide an opportunity to examine attacks on the U.S. Department of Education (ED) – including the ED workforce – proposed cuts in the FY26 budget proposal, private school voucher programs, impoundments, rescissions, and more, in Washington, DC on July 24, 2025. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

On July 24, Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), participated in a U.S. Senate spotlight forum hosted by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). The forum focused on the ongoing attacks against public education and their impact on students with disabilities.

The hearing, held on Capitol Hill, brought together key education leaders, advocates, and policymakers, including U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Dr. Rodriguez joined fellow panelists Randi Weingarten (AFT), Princess Moss (National Education Association), Denise Forte (EdTrust), and Aaron Dworkin (National Summer Learning Association) in addressing the harmful policy shifts and funding decisions threatening students, schools, and communities.

In her remarks, Dr. Rodriguez emphasized the devastating consequences of the federal government’s illegal delay in distributing over $5 billion in public education funding. A delay that is already disrupting services for more than 55 million students and 1.2 million adult learners, many of whom have disabilities.

“This funding delay is sabotaging student learning, educator preparedness, and essential services,” Rodriguez said. “To educators, this isn’t a delay—it’s a breach of public trust.”

Dr. Rodriguez also called out the Administration’s simultaneous move to enact an uncapped tax credit program that subsidizes private school tuition, which could siphon billions from public education dollars and directly harm students with disabilities.

“Voucher programs are not a real choice; they are exclusion dressed up as opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “Private schools are not bound by IDEA and often discriminate against students with disabilities. Public schools serve all students. Full stop.”

“NCLD will never stop advocating to ensure every student with a disability receives the inclusive, high-quality education they are promised—rooted in civil rights, not eroded by them.”