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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 9h

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 9h

I hopped on today’s episode of USA TODAY’s podcast The Excerpt to break down our recent reporting on the government shutdown and how it intersects with the latest Education Department layoffs.

Listen here: art19.com/shows/5-thin...

A triumphant Trump basks in Mideast praise

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page puts President Donald Trump's role in recent Israel-Hamas peace proceedings in context. USA TODAY Congressional Reporter Zach Schermele has the government...

art19.com

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: Check out this explainer on the Education Dept.'s layoffs of special ed staff ->

TLDR, as one person put it: "This is a time when parents have to really saddle up & be ready to be the most aggressive advocate for their child that they've ever been."
www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Education Dept. layoffs threaten special ed system, advocates warn

The Education Department laid off almost everyone in its special education division. From 504 plans to IEPs, here's how the firings could impact you.

www.usatoday.com

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 1d

"This is a time when parents have to really saddle up and be ready to be the most aggressive advocate for their child that they've ever been."

—Katy Neas, former deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Reposted by Zach Schermele

Dominique Baker @bakerdphd.bsky.social · 2d

Posting with alt text

Screenshot of a list that reads: Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO):
State and Local Engagement

Office of Post Secondary Education (OPE):
Student Support Services (TRIO)
Institutional Service (HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges, ANAPISI)

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS):

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)

Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
Enforcement Offices

Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD)
Budget Seryice

Screenshot of list that reads: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
OESE):

Office of Innovation and Early Learning
Office of School Community Improvement Programs
Well Rounded Education Division (Arts Education)
Charter Schools Program
Office of Safe and Supportive Schools
Program and Grantee Support Services
Comprehensive Literacy State Development
JAVITS (Gifted and Talented)
School Support and Accountability
Office of Formula Grants
Office of Migrant Education
Effective Educator Development Program
Innovation and Early Learning Programs
Effective Development Division
Program and Grantee Support Services

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you Dominique!!

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: These are all the Education Dept. offices that staffers and managers say have been impacted by layoffs since Friday, according to the union for the agency’s employees.

They include workers that supported HBCUs, tribal colleges, charter schools, civil rights reviews, special ed & more.

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 3d

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union says

The Education Department laid off nearly everyone at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

www.usatoday.com

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 13d

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

How long will the government shutdown last? Lawmakers don't have an answer.

Even members of Congress aren't sure what it's going to take to open the government back up.

www.usatoday.com

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Reposted by Zach Schermele

USA TODAY @usatoday.com · 13d

Photos capture some of the early effects after the federal government went into a partial shutdown at midnight on Oct. 1.

See the impacts of a government shutdown in photos

Photos capture some of the early effects after the federal government went into a partial shutdown at midnight on Oct. 1.

bit.ly

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 18d

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Trump leaves town, lawmakers aren't talking as government shutdown deadline nears

President Trump is out of town and key lawmakers are not talking as the deadline for a shutdown approaches on Oct. 1.

www.usatoday.com

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 28d

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Is the government about to shut down? Republicans and Democrats far apart in talks.

Republicans just proposed a seven-week funding extension. Here's what's in it.

www.usatoday.com

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · 28d

WASHINGTON – With each passing day on Capitol Hill, a government shutdown is looking more likely.

Time is running out for Democrats and Republicans in Congress to strike a compromise, and neither side appears to be budging.

Read more in USA TODAY:

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

As shutdown deadline nears, Democrats have rare leverage over Trump. They're digging in.

As Congress braces for another government shutdown, Democrats and Republicans are still at odds.

www.usatoday.com

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 26

Chatted about our back-to-school guide on "Connecting America" this morning. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-og...

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 26

From anti-DEI mandates to vaccine skepticism, back-to-school looks quite different this year.

I talk through some of the issues on today's episode of USA TODAY's podcast The Excerpt.
art19.com/shows/5-thin...

Judge temporarily blocks Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation

A judge Monday temporarily blocked Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down President Donald Trump's Monday executive orders on flag burning, an...

art19.com

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 25

www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

DEI crackdown, vaccine backlash: Why back-to-school looks so different this year

Parents are opting out of vaccines, the Education Department is targeting diversity programs and new school meal regulations just took effect.

www.usatoday.com

1

Reposted by Zach Schermele

James S. Murphy @jamessmurphy.bsky.social · Aug 23

The Department of Education wants to end the requirement that states collect & report data on racial disparities in special education.

This a week after they announced that they are going to ask almost 2,000 colleges to vastly expand their data collection around race, admissions, & financial aid.

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Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 22

Many 79-year-old men aren't exactly eager to show off what they're working with below the knee.

Donald Trump, per usual, is an exception.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Trump says he looks 'extremely good' in shorts

The president joked about participating in the FIFA World Cup draw when it comes to the Kennedy Center in December.

www.usatoday.com

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 15

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Education Department delays are putting parenting college students in a bind

Applications for millions of dollars in federal childcare funding are in limbo, threatening the education of college students with young kids.

www.usatoday.com

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 7

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

The clock is ticking for Trump's Education Department

The Education Department has less than a year to implement big changes to student loans and college oversight.

www.usatoday.com

Reposted by Zach Schermele

Robert Kelchen @robertkelchen.com · Aug 7

I like better IPEDS data, but ED is already behind schedule on reporting data and has laid off most relevant employees and contractors. So I'm not sure how this will work.

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Aug 7

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...