Department of Education Announces Oversight Changes
The Department of Education revealed on Tuesday that it will transfer the oversight of special education and civil rights to other federal agencies, aligning with the Trump administration’s initiative to streamline its functions.
Under a new Interagency Agreement (IAA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) will now handle civil rights in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will take charge of special education, including the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This move adds to ten other partnerships established as part of the department’s downsizing strategy.
“The Trump Administration is focused on reducing federal micromanagement that hinders success, yet we remain committed to enhancing federal oversight where it is crucial,” stated Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education.
She continued, “Our collaboration with HHS is aimed at aligning federal services to bolster academic achievement and aid individuals with disabilities in attaining greater independence, important life skills, and meaningful employment. The Education Department will also partner with the DOJ to ensure improved civil rights enforcement and robust student privacy protection. These agreements enhance the effectiveness of essential services by aligning responsibilities with the agencies that are best equipped to manage them.”
Before formalizing this partnership, McMahon and her team conducted listening sessions with numerous parents, educators, and advocates nationwide. Discussions largely revolved around IDEA, which ensures that eligible children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education tailored to their needs, along with state funding for these services.
Many parents expressed concerns about enduring lengthy, bureaucratic processes to secure necessary services for their children, particularly in educational environments. The ED and HHS collaboration aims to mitigate the bureaucratic hurdles related to personalized programs and to improve the coordination of federal resources to support the whole child and family.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted that this partnership is intended to “eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, enhance coordination of federal resources, and provide more effective support for individuals with disabilities and their families.”
“Working together, we can enhance educational and employment outcomes, advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities, and help all children realize their full potential,” he added.
The DOJ will not only oversee the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Education but will also tackle student privacy issues and offer training to assist schools.
“Every student has an undeniable right to learn and engage in school activities free from discrimination,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We are proud to collaborate with the Department of Education to establish a more robust civil rights enforcement system, making clear that discrimination based on race, gender, or ability will not be tolerated in our schools. Together, we are reinforcing our commitment to ensuring all students are treated with respect and given equal opportunities to succeed.”
Despite these changes, McMahon emphasized that the OCR and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) will continue their statutory roles “without interruption.” She mentioned that funding for IDEA would remain steady and even suggested that Congress consider increasing special education funding under the Trump administration.
McMahon pointed out that the fiscal year 2027 budget proposed by President Trump requests over $500 million more for special education services and aims to decrease the paperwork burden on special education teachers, allowing them more time to focus on students. Additionally, a new increase of $144 million for state and local agencies for the IDEA program was announced just last month.
The IAA aligns with efforts to comply with President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. While it was created 45 years ago under President Jimmy Carter, formally eliminating it would require congressional approval. In the interim, the department continues to seek ways to redistribute power and reduce its workforce while awaiting action from Republican lawmakers to fulfill Trump’s campaign promises.
