Christine Smith Olsey, a Denver mother, finds herself in a frustrating limbo as her efforts to secure appropriate educational support for her son have been unexpectedly halted. Smith Olsey’s case highlights the broader implications of recent changes in the U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration.
Smith Olsey’s second-grade son, who struggles with reading and has been subjected to bullying, has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. Despite receiving speech and occupational therapy, the boy’s charter school initially resisted Smith Olsey’s requests for additional academic support.
Determined to advocate for her son’s needs, Smith Olsey filed a complaint with the state and subsequently with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights in September 2024. However, in January 2025, her case came to an abrupt halt, leaving her and her son in a state of uncertainty.
This pause in proceedings is not an isolated incident. As the Trump administration began reshaping the Education Department, investigations and mediations in disability rights issues have come to a standstill. This freeze has affected numerous families relying on federal intervention to secure appropriate educational services for their children with special needs.
The situation has raised concerns about the federal government’s commitment to disabled students’ rights. While it’s not unusual for new administrations to pause cases as they adjust priorities, the extent of this freeze and the lack of exceptions for urgent situations have worried parents and advocates alike.
As of March 6, 2025, the Education Department has announced the end of the pause on its review of disability complaints. However, the delay has already impacted families like Smith Olsey’s, whose children’s educational progress may depend on the outcomes of these dispute resolution processes.
This development occurs against the backdrop of broader changes in the Education Department, including a significant decline in staffing and an increase in the number of cases it must handle. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate support and accommodations for students with disabilities in the U.S. education system.
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