Departure precedes staff transfer to HHS building
Kelly Rogers, who has overseen the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services since May, told employees on Wednesday that she is resigning from her post at the federal Education Department effective September 11, 2026, according to internal emails reviewed by NPR.
Rogers’ departure was announced less than a day before much of her staff were scheduled to move to the Department of Health and Human Services building. NPR described the staff transfer as part of what it characterized as “the Trump administration’s historic actions to try to dismantle the Education Department altogether.”
In a Wednesday morning email to staff, Rogers wrote: “I have made the decision to resign from my position as Deputy Assistant Secretary/Acting Assistant Secretary for OSERS to return home to Florida, effective September 11, 2026.” She added: “While I am stepping away, I remain confident in the team’s ability to continue moving forward with strengthened outcomes for individuals with disabilities through the HHS partnership.”
Education Department Press Secretary Savannah Newhouse confirmed Rogers’ forthcoming departure to NPR. Newhouse said Rogers is moving home to Florida to “take on a great opportunity and be closer to her family.”
NPR described the Education Department as being “in the midst of upheaval and downsizing,” and reported that the staff transfer is part of Trump administration actions to try to dismantle the agency. Some agency employees said they were shocked by the timing of Rogers’ departure. The employees asked NPR not to use their names because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Disability rights advocates have widely condemned shifting special education staff to a different agency.