All4Ed Flash: SNAP Saved, Schools Strained: Inside the Shutdown Deal
⚡️ Welcome back to the All4Ed Flash!
After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a bipartisan deal has finally reopened the federal government—at least through January 30, 2026. In this episode of the All4Ed Flash, Enrique Chaurand breaks down what’s in the agreement, including backpay for furloughed workers, restored jobs, continued SNAP benefits, and an upcoming vote on extending Obamacare tax credits. But while the shutdown is over, its impact on the U.S. Department of Education has been severe. Critical offices responsible for civil rights enforcement, special education oversight, federal education data, and the management of K–12 and higher education programs have been hollowed out. Investigations are stalled, oversight has weakened, and states and districts may face disruptions in key federal funding streams that millions of students rely on. We explore what this means for students, families, educators, and the long-term health of the education system—and why recovery must now be a national priority.
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After weeks of uncertainty, the longest government shutdown in history has finally come to an end.
Congress sent President Trump a bill to fund the government – which he has signed – through Jan. 30, 2026 shortly after the legislation cleared the House of Representatives by a 222-209 vote.
The House vote came after eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans to support a funding package that would keep multiple federal agencies and programs operating for the rest of the fiscal year — and all others funded through January 30, 2026.
The Democratic Senators secured a commitment from the Trump administration to provide backpay to all furloughed federal employees and rehire government workers who were fired at the start of the funding lapse, along with a promise for a Senate floor vote in December on extending expiring Obamacare tax credits.
The deal also includes funding for SNAP benefits through September 2026, helping millions of families put food on their tables.
While reopening the government is certainly welcome news, unfortunately, the damage has already been done — especially within the U.S. Department of Education.
As we’ve reported before, the Trump administration’s actions have hollowed out critical offices across the department, leaving essential programs without the staff needed to carry out their work.
Among the offices most affected are staff who oversee federal education data and research, ensure students’ civil rights are protected, teams that oversee college financial aid and loan servicing, and those responsible for supporting K–12 programs and compliance with special education laws.
With the Office for Civil Rights effectively paralyzed, investigations into discrimination — based on race, disability, language status, or gender — have come to a standstill.
That means complaints involving discipline disparities, access to advanced coursework, and Title IX violations are now in limbo, leaving students and families without one of their strongest advocates inside the federal government.
The special education divisions have also been hit hard. These teams help states implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensure schools meet their obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Without them, oversight and technical assistance have largely disappeared — putting students with disabilities at risk of losing the services they’re guaranteed under federal law.
And with the future status of most employees who manage federal K–12 funding streams uncertain, states and districts could face disruptions in the flow of billions of dollars that schools depend on — including Title I, Title III, and other key programs that support low-income students, English learners, and military-connected communities.
So, while the end of the shutdown brings some relief, the cost to our education system has been enormous.
At All4Ed, we remain focused on keeping these impacts front and center — because our students, parents, teachers, and schools deserve better. The long-term recovery of our education system must be a national priority.
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