This afternoon, senior White House and Education Department (ED) officials laid out plans to return education authority to states and redistribute oversight and administration of ED programs to other federal agencies through interagency agreements (IAAs).
Notably, a highly-anticipated IAA that would transfer all or part of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services was not released and is believed to be undergoing further legal review.
ED signed six IAAs with four federal agencies to outsource substantial portions of both K-12 and higher education programs. The table below provides a guide to how ED intends to streamline programs.
Department of Labor | |
Department of the Interior | |
Department of State | |
Department of Health and Human Services |
These agreements follow a May announcement transferring the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) to DOL—changes ED leaders described as “seamless” and a proof point for broader restructuring.
Framing From the Administration
Officials repeatedly underscored several themes that tie back to the administration's efforts to return education to the states and the longstanding goal of reducing federal oversight.
Eliminating red tape. ED representatives reiterated that the Department functions primarily as a pass-through grantmaker and argued that shifting programs across agencies would streamline, not eliminate, funding.
Federal shutdown as a proof point. Officials pointed to the recent 43-day government shutdown—during which ~90% of ED staff were furloughed—as evidence that the agency is “non-essential” to core school operations.
Parental empowerment and school choice. ED officials reiterated the administration’s focus on choice policies and its view that states and parents should lead decision-making.
Workforce alignment. The rationale for anchoring elementary, secondary, and postsecondary programs at DOL center on college-to-career pathways, workforce readiness, and closer alignment to labor market needs.
What Happens Next
The administration made clear that additional IAAs may follow, as they continue evaluating which remaining programs could be transferred. Congressional engagement was noted as “ongoing,” with interest among members who support eliminating or significantly reducing ED.
No operational timelines were provided regarding when agencies will fully assume day-to-day program administration, how program staff will be reassigned, detailed, or impacted, or what shifts grantees should expect in reporting, monitoring, or technical assistance.
We will continue to monitor closely for implementation details. Questions? Reach out to our team.
