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President Donald Trump has said that he wants his new education secretary, Linda McMahon, to “put herself out of a job” by dismantling the department she was confirmed this week to lead. As a parent to one of the nearly 8 million special education students who benefit from services provided by the U.S. Department of Education, I call on the president and Congress to reconsider this dangerous move.

My son was diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder when he was 1. Today, he’s a smart 25-year-old with an intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism and a passion for lawn tractors and country music’s Zac Brown Band. He will graduate from our public school district this May, an achievement that wouldn’t have been possible without the federal funds and legal protections provided by the Department of Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, better known as IDEA.

The Department of Education provides a significant funding stream – more than $15 billion distributed to states – for special education. The act ensures that children with disabilities have the right to go to school with their peers, to live at home with their families and to fully participate as members of their communities.

It would be far better to make changes........

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