Jacqueline Rodriguez

When the Ed Department first opened its doors in 1980, special education was intentionally placed within it, with the goal of giving students with disabilities the same access to a quality education as their non-disabled peers.

Before that, education programs for students with disabilities were lumped together with health and welfare.

That's Jacqueline Rodriguez of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, who worries the clock is being turned back for disabled students and their rights.

Department officials say the move will lead to more efficiency and effectiveness.

These latest changes are part of the Trump administration's bigger project to dismantle the Education Department altogether.

Janaki Mehta and Peer News.