Trump's special education cuts will cause our students to suffer needlessly | Opinion

In January 2020, my “why” changed forever.

All my life, I knew I wanted to be an educator. By my senior year of college, I had found my calling as a special educator. Although I had spent nearly two decades dedicated to children with diverse needs, it wasn’t until my niece, Kinsley, entered our lives that the personal and family impact of special education became real to me.

Kinsley came into this world with a rare genetic disorder that affects her bones and skeletal structure. Because she can’t bend her elbows, everyday tasks such as writing her name, brushing her teeth and feeding herself require special tools, creative strategies and a lot of support. Thanks to special education services, Kinsley has a chance to learn, to be included, to discover her own strengths.

Promise made to children with disabilities

That chance exists because of a promise our nation made to children with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). And that promise is now in danger.

The proposed near-elimination of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) would have devastating consequences for the nearly 760,000 public school students in Wisconsin, including more than 120,000 children who depend on special education services for disabilities like dyslexia, Down syndrome, autism and so many others.

As an educator, I’ve seen the difference special education makes. It’s not just about academics; it's about giving kids the dignity of being seen, valued and supported for who they are. Without the office, the very foundation that makes this possible begins to crumble.

OSEP is not just a government office buried in Washington, DC. It is the heart of how we serve students with disabilities. The experts there guide schools, support teachers and ensure that every child no matter where they live has access to the same protections and opportunities.

Without federal oversight, we risk creating a patchwork system where a child’s access to help depends on their ZIP code instead of their needs.

I know firsthand what happens when programs lose funding. Students lose therapies they depend on. Families are left to navigate a maze of services alone. Teachers are stretched thin, trying to fill the gaps with little more than passion and hope. That’s not the system our children deserve.

Parents, educators, Republicans, Democrats want the same thing

Until now, special education has been one of the few areas where politics didn’t divide us. Parents, educators, Republicans, Democrats all of us want the same thing: for our children to learn, grow and have a fair shot at a bright future.

Weakening OSEP breaks that shared commitment and puts decades of progress toward inclusion at risk.

For Kinsley and for every child who just needs someone to believe in them, special education is not optional. It’s essential. It’s a promise we made as a country, and it’s a promise we must keep.

I urge Wisconsin’s leaders and every member of Congress: Protect OSEP, uphold IDEA and keep the door of opportunity open for every child. Because when we invest in our most vulnerable learners, we don’t just change their lives – we strengthen the heart of our nation.

Anna Adl, a Wisconsin-based special educator with 24 years of experience across diverse school settings, has served in roles ranging from classroom teacher to special education diagnostician. As a support teacher, she partners with staff to strengthen inclusive practices and ensure every child feels seen, supported and capable of success. This column originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.