Changes at the Department of Education
The Department of Education announced on Tuesday a significant shift in its operations, planning to hand off responsibilities to other federal agencies. This effort is part of a broader initiative aimed at returning control of education to the states and effectively winding down the Department itself.
Officials indicate that the department has established six interagency agreements to facilitate this transition. These agreements allow one federal agency to outsource services to another, and, moving forward, the Department of Labor will collaborate with the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, while also taking a greater role in the oversight of the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Additionally, the Department of the Interior is set to help manage Native American education initiatives, and the Department of Health and Human Services will partner with the Department of Education to enhance childcare services for parents enrolled in college. The Department of State will also assist with international education programs.
An ED official mentioned that the department has had the legal authority to engage with other federal agencies for service procurement since it was established. Other agencies have similar contracting capabilities, which they’ve utilized for over a century.
For some of these new contracts, ED employees may be transferred to the respective federal agency, though the exact number of relocations has not been disclosed.
About $28 billion in federal grants are tied to these educational programs, which department officials believe will enhance efficiency and support for students. Paul Ranko, a representative from Defending Education, expressed optimism about the changes, indicating that they represent a move toward greater control for families and educators while cutting through bureaucratic obstacles.
This shift follows President Trump’s executive order in March that aimed to dissolve the Department of Education. Since that order, the department has worked on reallocating various functions, like transferring certain student loan responsibilities to the Small Business Administration and moving specific assistance programs to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon highlighted that this is a significant step toward dismantling federal education bureaucracy, aiming to refocus efforts on local leaders and educational excellence across the country. The initiative will involve gathering best practices from all states, re-empowering education for families and schools, and working with Congress on these reforms. The ultimate goal is to ensure that taxpayer spending effectively supports a strong educational framework.
