{"aiVersion":"1","content":{"id":"cmqn2ztps0004104huc0a0c05","slug":"why-disability-advocates-worry-about-the-move-of-s-20260621","title":"Why Disability Advocates Worry About the Move of Special Education","level":"EASY","publishedAt":"2026-06-21T01:01:43.360Z"},"topic":{"slug":"why-disability-advocates-worry-about-the-move-of-s-20260621","category":"education"},"article":{"paragraphs":["The U.S. government moved responsibility for special education to the Department of Health and Human Services. The announcement came on June 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C. For years, the Education Department helped schools run programs and gave money to states.","Disability groups are worried about the change. They point to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who leads Health and Human Services, and to his past comments on autism. Many parents and advocates fear that services for students with disabilities could weaken. Many groups asked for meetings with officials. They said federal money and enforcement must continue."],"wordCount":95,"readTime":1},"vocabulary":[{"word":"special education","example":"My sister gets help in special education at school.","phonetic":"/ˈspɛʃ.əl ˌɛdʒ.ʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/","definition":"School programs for students with disabilities"},{"word":"advocate","example":"She is an advocate for children with disabilities.","phonetic":"/ˈæd.və.kət/","definition":"A person who speaks up for others"},{"word":"oversight","example":"The agency has oversight of the school program.","phonetic":"/ˈoʊ.vər.saɪt/","definition":"Supervision or official control"}],"quiz":[{"answer":"the Department of Health and Human Services","question":"Who will oversee special education?"},{"answer":"June 16, 2026","question":"When did the announcement come?"},{"answer":"Robert F. Kennedy Jr.","question":"Who leads Health and Human Services?"}],"discussion":[{"question":"Do you worry when government rules for schools change? Why or why not?"},{"question":"Have you ever needed special support at school? What helped you?"},{"question":"What do you think families want most when a school program changes?"}]}