March 27, 2025

Ohio School Psychologists Association

Statement on Executive Order to Shutter U.S. Department of Education

Last week President Donald Trump issued an executive action directing the eventual closing of the U.S. Department of Education. We know this move, although anticipated, has many of us in the educational community worried about the far-reaching implications. 

What We Know

The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Education to take steps to advance closure of the U.S. Department of Education, with language including, “...return authority over education to the States and local communities.” The order also directs programs or activities receiving any remaining U.S. Department of Education funds will not advance “DEI” or “gender ideology.”

While these actions will significantly abridge the U.S. Department of Education, only an act of Congress can fully close the USDOE.

Although we expect a statement and guidance from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce when they have attained more information from the federal government, they have assured us that they will continue to support implementation of IDEA, and federal Section 504/ADA civil rights statutes will equally continue under its respective authorities. These statutes still exist and DEW has been adv

How This Impacts OSPA 

OSPA, as a professional association, relies upon very few federal dollars for its operations. Specifically, we have received an annual $7,500 grant funneled through DEW to fund the annual fall Intern Conference. In the last couple of years, OSPA has also been allocated up to $30,000 in federal dollars passed through DEW to offer its Community of Practice grant benefits. OSPA does not rely on other sources such as grants or charitable contributions to finance its efforts. This Association functions primarily on our membership dues you generously provide and profits derived from our professional development events. We do not foresee changes at the federal level impacting OSPA’s ability to function and we fully anticipate to continue to offer the same level of services members have come to expect.

What We Will Do

OSPA will continue its relationship with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, its Office for Exceptional Children, the Ohio Board of Psychology, and members of the Ohio General Assembly and Executive Branch. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to uplift policies that support best practices for students, their families, educators, and protect and promote school psychology as a profession. 

OSPA will further its focus on our state-level outreach while NASP, APA, and other national entities prioritize federal engagement. You can read NASP’s statement relating to these activities HERE.

As these changes intersect your work, please feel welcome to share stories with OSPA to allow us to better communicate with our statewide policymakers and advocacy circles about the impact of these and other changes to the educational arena.

Jen Glenn, OSPA President
Rachel Chilton, OSPA Executive Director