U.S. Department of Education Announces Plan to Shift Major Programs to Other Agencies

 The U. S. Department of Education (DOE) has announced plans to transfer several major education programs to other government departments as part of an effort to reduce federal oversight in education. This move aligns with a directive from President Trump, aiming to return more educational authority to the states.

• Transfer of Programs: The DOE will move various programs to other departments:

• Elementary and secondary education programs will go to the Department of Labor.

• Postsecondary education programs, excluding student loans, will also move to Labor.

• Indian education programs will be transferred to the Department of the Interior.

• International education and foreign language programs will shift to the State Department.

• Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) and foreign medical accreditation programs will transition to the Department of Health & Human Services.

• Reasoning Behind Changes: Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that the recent federal shutdown demonstrated the unimportance of the federal education bureaucracy, as local education continued without interruption. This reinforces the belief that states should take the lead in educating children.

• State Empowerment: Since 2021, 17 states have initiated new education freedom programs that allow students more choices in their educational pathways. These include public schools, homeschools, and charter schools, recognizing that educational needs vary widely among students.

• Support for State Control: The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) supports dissolving the DOE's power. Their Education & Workforce Development Task Force has passed a resolution advocating for the devolution of education authority back to state governments and encourages its members to show further support.

The changes announced by the DOE mark a significant shift towards decentralizing education in the U. S., allowing states to exercise greater control over educational policies. Proponents believe that state management of education will lead to improved outcomes for students, as exemplified by the recent rise in education freedom programs across the country. This initiative is seen as a pivotal step in reshaping the future of education in America, moving away from a federal-centered model. 

https://alec.org/article/u-s-department-of-education-announces-plan-to-shift-major-programs-to-other-agencies/