The union is asking for a 9% salary increase over the course of two years in addition to fully funded healthcare for dependents, changing the workload for special education teachers and increasing staffing to reduce class size.

Disability advocates are warning Congress against reopening the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, saying even small changes could weaken protections for students with disabilities. The concerns come as the Education Department faces cuts and uncertainty.

Students with IEPs spend more time in general classrooms than average, yet are sent out of district at more than twice the national rate.