Trump Administration Shifts Education Department Functions to Other Agencies

The Trump administration has taken significant steps to dismantle the Education Department by reallocating its responsibilities to the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These changes affect services for at-risk students across the nation. The Department of Justice will now handle enforcement of civil rights in education, while HHS will oversee special education, officials announced. This move involves the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights, which protect students with disabilities and those facing discrimination based on race, sex, or religion.

Advocates express concern that these changes may lead to communication issues for families and school officials needing assistance. President Trump, who ran on a platform to return education control to the states, has pursued these changes through agreements made by Education Secretary Linda McMahon. McMahon, formerly CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, stated that these agreements are intended to assign federal responsibilities to the most suitable agencies.

The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential.

Despite these assurances, critics are worried about the impact on student services. Advocates argue these changes will affect underserved groups most severely, including students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds, Black and Latino students, multilingual learners, and students from rural areas. EdTrust, a think tank advocating for educational equity, expressed strong opposition.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services manages substantial grants and ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Office for Civil Rights, downsized by recent layoffs, investigates discrimination complaints in schools and universities. The Department of Justice will also assume responsibilities related to student privacy and provide some training and advisory support to schools.

While HHS and the Department of Justice will conduct most daily activities, the Education Department will retain some responsibilities, including responding to audits and issuing final civil rights determinations as legally required. Some Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Bobby Scott and Sen. Patty Murray, criticized the moves as politically motivated and potentially harmful to students with disabilities and students of color.

Instead of helping kids get a great education, this administration is spending its time, energy, and taxpayer resources fixated on where employees sit and illegally trying to shutter the Department of Education.

Rachel Gittleman, president of the union representing department employees, stated the changes would create chaos and leave vulnerable students without necessary services and discrimination protections. Transferring special education oversight to HHS particularly concerns disability advocates, who believe education experts should manage such programs, not medical experts. Jennifer Coco from the Center for Learner Equity pointed out that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) focuses on social integration rather than medical treatment.

The Education Department reported that McMahon held consultations with families and educators to address concerns over these changes. Nevertheless, the sessions revealed widespread opposition to shifting special education oversight outside the Education Department.

I think we agree on the problem, but we have stark disagreement on the solution and these transfers today don’t feel like a solution to that problem.

The Associated Press’ education coverage is supported by various private foundations, though the AP maintains full editorial control over its content.