Felicita Piñón was born weighing only 1 pound. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, necessitating the use of a power wheelchair. Alongside physical challenges, she also faces learning and emotional hurdles. Despite these, Felicita is an eighth grader who does not let her disability define her life. Remarkably, in 2025, she testified against a school voucher bill at the Texas Capitol. However, when she wanted to join her middle school’s cheerleading team in Crowley, Texas, in 2024, her mother, Liz Piñón, felt the school refused necessary accommodations per federal disabilities laws.
Liz Piñón believed the school discriminated based on her daughter’s disability and race. She pointed out nearby schools with wheelchair-bound cheerleaders as examples. Consequently, Liz Piñón, like many others, filed a complaint with the federal Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
“Even though the department wasn’t perfect, they still provided an extra layer of rights, guidance, and technical assistance for schools and districts,” said Liz Piñón.
For years, the OCR offered essential support when local schools did not adhere to federal disability standards. Recent budget cuts have led to the dismissal of numerous complaints without investigation. This raises questions about enforcing federal special education laws.
Challenges Faced by the Office for Civil Rights
Traditionally, the OCR managed vast caseloads, and while this was challenging, it was an essential route for hearing parents’ concerns about their children’s education. Many parents, like Liz Piñón, now face uncertainty. Without acknowledgment or follow-up, parents feel they don’t have an available support system.
In March 2025, the Education Department cut nearly half of its workforce, including over half the staff at the OCR. Seven out of twelve regional offices also closed. This restructuring left the OCR with fewer resources, heightening concerns over the enforcement of education laws.
Federal Oversight Imperative
Congress, in 1975, established the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), giving the federal government oversight responsibilities. The Education Department’s Office of Special Education Programs monitors these laws.
Even before the recent workforce cuts, issues existed. In 2025, only 21 states met federal special education requirements. Many public schools lacked adequate support such as psychologists and social workers, posing significant barriers.
Texas’s history illustrates the consequences of inadequate oversight. In 2018, the Office of Special Education Programs found Texas had not properly identified or supported students eligible for special services. The Education Department placed Texas on a five-year corrective action plan to rectify these issues.
Through federal oversight, Texas began to comply with IDEA by 2025. While not all issues were resolved, federal involvement drove systemic change and accountability.
“We are missing that heavy-handed, federal oversight to come in and say, ‘You messed up and here is how we are ordering you to fix it,’” said Colleen Potts, attorney at Disability Rights Texas.
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