NDDPI says services not affected amid U.S. Education Department staff reductions

BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — With the government shutdown nearing its third week, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced more staffing reductions, cutting about 466 workers on Friday. A large part of these were from the special education office, with the Associated Press reporting the office went from about 200 workers down to about five.

The office that implements the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act — ensuring millions of students with disabilities around the U.S. get the support they need from their school — and the Office for Civil Rights, responsible for investigating school discrimination complaints, both saw mass layoffs.

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) says services offered for students with disabilities in the Peace Garden State, as we