Maryland AG Joins Coalition Opposing Rollback of Special Education Reporting Requirements

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 15 other state attorneys general in formally opposing a proposal by the U.S. Department of Education that would eliminate specific reporting requirements. These requirements are crucial for identifying and addressing racial disparities in special education services for children with disabilities. The coalition contends that the proposed changes would weaken oversight, misrepresent the burden on states, and hinder efforts to ensure equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for all students.

The U.S. Department of Education initially announced its proposal to discontinue the requirement for states to submit changes in their methodologies for identifying significant racial disproportionalities in special education on August 22, 2025. Following a second request for public comment on January 9, 2026, Attorney General Brown and his counterparts have reiterated their strong opposition. They argue that the Department’s plan would strip away essential federal oversight, preventing it from effectively monitoring how states identify and address these critical disproportionalities.

A key point of contention for the coalition is the Department’s alleged failure to adequately address public feedback received after the initial announcement. Many commenters expressed a clear value for the collection and public availability of states’ methodologies. Furthermore, the attorneys general assert that the Department has overstated the administrative burden associated with the current reporting requirements. Their collective experience indicates that the reporting process is minimal and a worthwhile effort when weighed against the imperative of identifying and rectifying significant disproportionalities in special education.

The attorneys general emphasize that revoking the obligation for states to report changes to their methodologies undermines both public transparency and the fundamental goal of equal educational opportunities and outcomes. This is particularly critical for students of color and students with disabilities, who are most likely to be affected by such disparities. The states joining Maryland in this effort include California, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

---