Trump Hastens Education Department Closure, Transfers Programs to Other Agencies

The U.S. Education Department is transferring significant grant programs to other federal agencies as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to close the department. This move marks a substantial progression in dismantling an agency that has primarily faced job cuts since President Donald Trump signed an executive order advocating for its elimination in March.

Transfer of Education Programs

Recently, six agreements were made to shift billions of dollars in grant programs to various agencies. A prominent change involves transferring oversight of critical funding streams for K-12 schools to the Department of Labor, including Title I funds targeted at low-income communities.

Statement from the Education Secretary

Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressed, “The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states.” She highlighted that simplifying processes is key to their mission.

Ongoing Education Funding

Despite these significant shifts, the Education Department will maintain its $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio and funding for students with disabilities. However, McMahon hinted that other federal departments might manage these aspects more effectively.

Details of the New Agreements

• The initial test occurred in June with a deal moving adult education programs to the Department of Labor.
• The new agreements extend this framework, presenting a “proof of concept” for future legislative action to dissolve the department.
• Labor will now oversee most K-12 and higher education grant programs, including the $18 billion Title I program and funds for teacher training and English language instruction.

This transition will effectively eliminate functions of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Office of Postsecondary Education, the two largest divisions within the Education Department. However, the department will retain oversight of student loan policies and accreditation for colleges.

Impacts on Other Federal Agencies

Additional shifts include:

• The Department of Health and Human Services taking over a grant program for college-attending parents.
• The State Department managing foreign language programs.
• The Interior Department overseeing Native American education initiatives.

Concerns Regarding the Changes

Critics have raised alarm over these transitions, fearing potential disruptions to vital support for vulnerable student populations. Some question the legality of the plan, arguing that existing laws require the Education Department’s oversight of certain programs. Nevertheless, department officials assert that their changes are legally sound and will enhance efficiency.

Future of the Education Department

McMahon argues that the Education Department has devolved into a bloated bureaucracy over its 45 years, highlighting declining K-12 student performance as evidence of its inadequacies. She advocates for abolishing the department to allow states more flexibility in allocating educational funds.

This vision necessitates congressional approval, complicated by the bipartisan support some core functions of the department enjoy. The newly established agreements are part of a broader strategy to demonstrate that America’s educational institutions can function effectively without the Education Department.

As this plan unfolds, McMahon intends to tour the nation, showcasing local school successes and advocating for her proposals to lawmakers.