September 2025 Policy News Round-Up

Grade 12 NAEP scores are released, some special education grants receive noncontinuation awards, and the Federal government fails to pass a funding bill and heads into a shutdown. See what NCLD is tracking this month.

NAEP Scores for Grade 12 Released, Showing Declines

Assessment data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed significant declines in 12th-grade reading and math, as well as 8th-grade science, reaching historic lows. The scores of students with disabilities in grade 12 reading and math were relatively unchanged since previous years (last assessed in 2019), but still showed sizeable achievement gaps compared to non-disabled peers.

Only 35% of high school seniors were proficient in reading, and just 22% in math. Data on student absenteeism also showed that nearly one-third of high school seniors missed three or more days of school in the prior month (up 26% from 2019). The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee addressed these results in a hearing on September 18 titled the State of K-12 Education. 

Federal Funding Holdout Leads to Government Shutdown

The end of Fiscal Year 2025 was September 30, and Congress was unable to reach an agreement to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) or the FY 2026 appropriations bills. ​​The U.S. Department of Education’s shutdown plan states that the agency will make IDEA grants to states, with funding available as usual. However, funding sources such as Head Start are impacted. Monitoring and oversight at the Department of Education are affected.

Department of Education Discontinues Some Special Education Grants

Following persistent advocacy in August, after credible information indicated a potential cancellation of many grants, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education provided 464 grantees with continuation awards. Still, several dozen grant recipients received notice that grants were being cancelled (totaling approximately $14.8 million). These cuts impacted personnel development, including doctoral and teacher training, as well as parent centers and grants, which were in the midst of multi-year grant cycles. 

IDEA Amendment in Markup of Voucher Bill Failed

On September 10th, the House Oversight Committee marked up H.R. 5181, a bill that amends the program awarding private school vouchers to students in the District of Columbia. Congresswoman Lateefah Simon offered an amendment requiring private schools participating in the program to certify protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Congresswoman spoke about her own experiences as a blind individual and about her daughter’s experiences with dyscalculia. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx responded that this amendment is “red tape” and “unnecessary.” 

State Spotlight: Massachusetts RISE Act

On September 11, NCLD’s CEO, Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, Professional Advisory Board Member, Dr. Todd Grindal, and Young Adult Leadership Council Member alum, Erin Mayo, had the opportunity to testify at the State House in front of the Joint Committee for Higher Education. The group spoke in favor of House Number 1433– the Massachusetts version of the Respond Innovate Succeed and Empower (RISE) Act. This bill would require institutions of higher education to accept a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan as proof of a disability when requesting accommodations. This is just one of the first steps in a long process to pass the bill. If you are a Massachusetts resident, you can tell your State Representatives and State Senator to support the bill here. 

Advocacy Opportunities

NCLD’s Action Center enables you to contact your Members of Congress and make your voice heard on issues important to students with disabilities. New on the Action Center includes the opportunity to advocate this LD Awareness Month. 

In addition, you can provide public comment to notices issued by the U.S. Department of Education or requests for information issued by Members of Congress: 

• Redesigning the Institute of Education Sciences (closes 10/15)
• Sen. Bill Cassidy requests information on improving transparency in higher education (closes (10/24)
• Proposed priority on career pathways and workforce readiness (closes 10/27)
• Proposed priority on meaningful learning opportunities (closes 10/27)

ICYMI 

• Senator Angela Alsobrooks introduces the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act with NCLD’s endorsement
• Representatives Lucy McBath and Brian Fitzpatrick introduces bipartisan Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act with NCLD’s endorsement
• Senator Jack Reed and Bill Cassidy introduces a resolution designating September 2025 as “National Literacy Month”
• NCLD led CCD letter sent to the Administration on the importance of state assessments and strong accountability for students with disabilities

What We’re Reading:

• K-12 Dive: States struggle with increase in special education complaints 
• National Council on Teacher Quality: Building a Strong Teacher Workforce for Students with Disabilities
  • DYK? 32 states offer scholarships or tuition assistance to special education teachers.