The story follows Amy Cupp and her daughter, G, who has multiple disabilities and faces challenges at school. G, aged 12, dislikes being secluded in a padded room at school when she has tantrums. Cupp filed a complaint with the U.S. Education Department due to concerns about G’s treatment. However, the complaint process stalled after significant staff cuts following the Trump administration’s downsizing of the department. Cupp, along with other parents, joined a lawsuit to address the lack of investigations into civil rights complaints. The lawsuit argues that the cuts have hindered the department’s ability to enforce civil rights laws in schools.

The article highlights the impact of the cuts on the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which investigates discrimination in schools. With a significant reduction in staff, OCR’s ability to address discrimination complaints, especially regarding students with disabilities, is compromised. Special education advocates emphasize the importance of OCR investigations in identifying systemic discrimination, contrasting state-level interventions that focus on individual student needs. The article also discusses differing views on whether the U.S. Department of Education or the Justice Department should handle civil rights complaints effectively.

Cupp’s struggle to advocate for her daughter underscores the challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities in navigating the education system. The use of restraint and seclusion in schools, especially on students with disabilities, is a contentious issue. Cupp’s efforts, including filing a federal complaint, reflect her determination to ensure G receives appropriate education and support. The story sheds light on the complexities of advocating for students with disabilities and the implications of policy changes on civil rights enforcement in education.