WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration announced Tuesday that oversight of special education programs and federal civil rights enforcement in schools will be transferred from the Department of Education to other federal agencies as part of a broader effort to reduce the department’s responsibilities.
Under the plan, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will assume responsibility for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, which administers federal special education programs and oversees compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The office manages billions of dollars in grants and services that support approximately 7.5 million students with disabilities nationwide.
The administration also announced that the Department of Justice will take over the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. That office investigates complaints involving discrimination in schools and colleges based on race, sex, disability, national origin, and other protected categories.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the changes are intended to streamline federal operations and reduce what the administration views as unnecessary federal micromanagement of schools. Because Congress must approve the elimination of a cabinet-level department, the administration is instead transferring major responsibilities to other agencies through interagency agreements.
The move is part of President Donald Trump’s long-standing goal of significantly reducing the size and role of the Department of Education. Trump has repeatedly argued that education decisions should be made primarily at the state and local levels.
The announcement drew criticism from disability rights organizations, education advocates, and labor unions. Opponents argue that dividing responsibilities among multiple agencies could weaken oversight, create confusion for families, and complicate enforcement of federal protections for students.
The administration maintains that services and legal protections will remain in place under the new structure and that the changes are designed to improve efficiency rather than reduce support for students.
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