Copyright Newsweek
The U.S. Department of Education is exploring ways to move some education programs to another federal agency, a spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek. It comes after a new round of layoffs at the department this month eliminated almost every employee working in the department’s Office of Special Education Programs, amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Why It Matters The effort is part of President Donald Trump’s broader plan to shut down the Education Department and parcel its operations to other agencies. But an act of Congress would be required to close the department and move its functions to other agencies. But over the summer, the department started handing off its adult education and workforce programs to the Labor Department. It also emerged over the summer that the department was negotiating a deal to transfer its $1.6-trillion student-loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. What to Know Madi Biedermann, the department’s deputy assistant secretary for communications, said in an email to Newsweek that the department is “exploring additional partnerships with federal agencies to support some education programs without any interruption or impact on students with disabilities.” She said that no agreement has been signed. Biedermann did not reveal which agencies it was looking to partner with, but both Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon have spoken about moving some education, including the $15-billion Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) program, to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Newsweek has contacted HHS via email for comment. What People Are Saying Department of Education spokesperson Madi Biedermann said in a statement to Newsweek: “Secretary McMahon has been very clear that her goal is to put herself out of a job by shutting down the Department of Education and returning education to the states. "The department is exploring additional partnerships with federal agencies to support some education programs without any interruption or impact on students with disabilities, but no agreement has been signed. Secretary McMahon is fully committed to protecting the federal funding streams that support our nation’s students with disabilities.” Speaking about the IDEA program, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said during her Senate confirmation hearing: “I’m not sure that it’s not better served in HHS, but I don’t know.” She added: “It is of high priority to make sure that the students who are receiving disability funding that is not impacted. It is incredibly important that those programs continue to be funded.” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote on X in March that HHS “ is fully prepared to take on the responsibility of supporting individuals with special needs and overseeing nutrition programs that were run by @usedgov. We are committed to ensuring every American has access to the resources they need to thrive. We will make the care of our most vulnerable citizens our highest national priority.” What’s Next
