WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Donald Trump’s administration announced additional steps to reduce the role of the U.S. Department of Education by forming new interagency agreements. These partnerships with the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aim to transfer certain responsibilities, marking a significant shift in federal education policy. The agreements focus on foreign gift and contract reporting and expanding family engagement and school support programs.
These steps are part of a broader plan to dismantle the 46-year-old department, which has already signed seven interagency agreements since 2025. According to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, these collaborations are intended to increase efficiency and improve coordination, aligning with efforts to return education control to the states.
However, the move has faced criticism. Rachel Gittleman from the American Federation of Government Employees accused McMahon of unlawfully dismantling the department. She cited concerns over widespread layoffs and the transfer of crucial educational work to agencies with no expertise in the field. Sen. Patty Murray also condemned the agreements, stating they create unnecessary bureaucracy and jeopardize vital resources for students and families.
Foreign gifts and contracts
The Education Department maintains that it will retain oversight of programs under both agreements. As per Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, institutions receiving federal aid must report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000. The State Department will assist in managing the foreign funding reporting process, using its expertise to assess compliance and potential threats.
HHS portfolio grows
The agreement with HHS expands its role in administering programs from the Education Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. These include the School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV), School Safety National Activities, Ready to Learn Programming, and others. The Project SERV assists schools in recovering from violent events, while Ready to Learn supports educational media for young children. The Full-Service Community Schools program offers comprehensive services for students in high-poverty areas.
Abolishing the department
Since taking office, Trump has pursued a strategy to transfer educational control to states, backed by a Supreme Court decision allowing department downsizing. Despite Congress rebuffing Trump’s request to slash funding, a measure was passed to fund the department at $79 billion, which exceeds the previous fiscal year and Trump’s proposed budget. While the measure does not prevent outsourcing, it requires biweekly briefings to lawmakers about the agreements’ implementation.
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