# Special ed chief resigns amid Ed Department downsizing

> Kelly Rogers abruptly quit less than a day before special education staff were set to move out of the Education Department.
- Title: Special ed chief resigns amid Ed Department downsizing · NPR
- Summary: Kelly Rogers abruptly quit less than a day before special education staff were set to move out of the Education Department. The top federal special education…
- Keywords: education, special education, politics, disability rights, news, Special, chief, resigns, Department, downsizing, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/09/09/nx-s1-5962899/special-education-kelly-rogers-resigns
- Published: 2026-09-09T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: education, special education, politics, disability rights, news
## Top special ed official resigns
Kelly Rogers announced her abrupt resignation as head of the federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

> I have made the decision to resign from my position as Deputy Assistant Secretary/Acting Assistant Secretary for OSERS to return home to Florida
## Exit comes right before move
Staff members learned of the resignation less than a day before their scheduled relocation to the Department of Health and Human Services building.
## Part of agency downsizing
The staff transfer into HHS reflects ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle the federal Education Department altogether.
## Conflicting feelings over departure
Press officials cited a new opportunity in Florida near family, but department employees said they were shocked by the sudden departure.
## Advocates condemn the shift
Disability rights advocates have widely criticized the push to move special education staff and responsibilities to a different federal agency.
## Key takeaway

The top federal special education official's departure highlights mounting turmoil as key agency programs are transferred to HHS.