October 2026 Policy News Round-Up

In October, NCLD supported a bipartisan LD Awareness Month Resolution and literacy bill, endorsed a forward-looking education policy vision, commented on proposed regulations including on Head Start, and weighed in on proposed changes to the Census.

Congresswomen Brownley and Houchin Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing October as LD Awareness Month

On October 1st, Congresswomen Julia Brownley (D-CA-26) and Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) introduced a Resolution recognizing October as Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. Their joint press release states: “Observed annually in October, National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month raises public awareness of learning disabilities, promotes early and accurate diagnoses, and highlights the importance of ensuring individuals have access to the resources, tools, and support they need to succeed in school, the workplace, and their communities.” Continue to share NCLD’s Learning Disabilities Awareness Month resources on social media (and tag us)! 

NCLD Endorses the Literacy Improvement for Transformation (LIFT) Act

Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Literacy Improvement for Transformation (LIFT) Act to improve literacy outcomes. Specifically, this bill would:

• Ensure reading specialists spend at least 80% of their time working directly with students and teachers
• Supports ongoing professional development for reading specialists
• Prioritizes hiring reading specialists to support the lowest performing students and students with disabilities

Learn more about NCLD’s stance on the science of reading here. 

NCLD Supports Ten Commitments for State and Federal Education Policy Leaders

NCLD joined partner organizations through a coalition called EdPWR has worked with partners to propose ten commitments for state and federal education policy leaders to make over the next ten years that are designed to help fulfill the promise of public education, restore confidence in our public schools, and equip every student with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to thrive. Each commitment lays out a clear goal with specific state and federal policy actions to achieve it, and a guarantee to parents and families on what these goals mean for their children. They are:

1. Safe Schools, Safe Kids 
2. Great Teachers + Leaders = Great Learning 
3. The Schools Our Kids Deserve 
4. Graduates Ready for the Workforce and the World 
5. Every Kid Can Read 
6. Fair and Full Funding for Every Student 
7. Technologically Protected and Prepared Students 
8. AI That Works for Kids 
9. A Public School That Fits Your Kid 
10. A Student Bill of Rights 

FY 2027 Funding Decisions Are On Pause Until December, But Funding Processes Continue to Be Weaponized

Just before Labor Day, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to maintain federal funding at FY 2026 level while Congress negotiates funding for FY 2027 (which began October 1, 2026). The CR temporarily blocked the implementation of a rule that would provide the Administration the discretion to withhold, suspend, terminate, or change grants, which NCLD joined over 200 other national organizations in opposing.

There has also been an increase in frontloading U.S. Department of Education (ED) grants, including programs that support students with disabilities such as IDEA Part D grants that fund the preparation and development of special educators and literacy programs. Typically, ED funds grants on a yearly basis for several years, with an initial award and subsequent “continuation awards.” While this process is allowable, it means that there are drastically less recipients of these funds. Sens. Murray and Baldwin wrote a letter to ED asking to abandon this tactic.

NCLD Submits Comments on Concerning Proposed Regulations

Head Start

NCLD joined other organizations from the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Education Task Force in urging the Administration to withdraw the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would comprehensively rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Head Start’s commitment to serving children with disabilities is embedded in its Performance Standards, which establish the program’s requirements for comprehensive and inclusive services. Significantly reducing these standards would weaken the framework that guides service delivery, limit access, and reduce the ability for children with disabilities and their families to fully participate, weakening the program’s effectiveness in achieving positive outcomes for children with disabilities. Read the full comments here. 

E-Rate Program

NCLD joined the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) and other partners urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make clear that “monitoring” in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) does not include the use of student activity monitoring software. NCLD details how these software negatively impact students with disabilities in a 2024 policy memo.

Administration Proposes Concerning Changes to Decennial Census That Could Impact Public School Funding

The Trump Administration has proposed changes to the decennial census that would affect federal funding for public schools, including IDEA. The proposed rule would exclude most noncitizens from the census, including undocumented children. It would also bar questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from the census form. The census has collected data on race in every count since 1790. If the census count is inaccurate, school districts will not receive their appropriate share of those funds.

Advocacy Opportunities

The 119th Congress will resume after the midterm elections and a pivotal “lame duck” period until the 120th Congress begins in January provides a pivotal time for legislation to be passed.

Bills like the RISE Act, READ Act, and 21st Century Dyslexia Act considered by all 100 Senators before the end of the year. Let your Members of Congress know your position on these bills using NCLD’s Action Center.

The National Center for Education Statistics is requesting information from experts and innovators in state and local education policy and practice, federal statistics, data collection methods, and other interested stakeholders on federal data collection efforts. Weigh in by December 3rd!

ICYMI 

• NCLD’s CEO Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez appeared on NBC to discuss early signs of learning disabilities during LD Awareness Month. Watch a clip here.
• NCLD’s Saashya Rodrigo submitted “The education technology debate is missing students with disabilities” for the Fordham Institute’s annual wonk-a-thon.

What We’re Reading (or Listening To):

• Special Education’s Shrinking Dollar: More Students, Less Buying Power, and Uneven State Responses | Krista Kaput
• Sold a Story, Season Two | Emily Hanford
• Zero Reject: The Uncertain Future of Special Education | Understood
• Creating Accessible Career Connectivity for Learners with Disabilities in Higher Education | Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice