Education Department Reorganization Raises Questions Amidst Trump Administration's Plans

Wed Nov 19 2025 03:16:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration's initiative to dismantle the Education Department is underway, redistributing its responsibilities across various federal agencies. The changes spark discussions about their potential impact on education funding and support for students.

The Trump administration is moving forward with its goal to close the Education Department by reallocating its functions to other federal agencies such as Labor and Health and Human Services. While funding for education is expected to continue, concerns arise over the adequacy of support for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds and those with disabilities.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has initiated drastic changes within the Education Department, reallocating several of its key functions to different federal agencies as part of its ongoing commitment to dismantle the department.

As the administration outlines its plans, offices responsible for various educational services will transition to agencies such as Labor and Interior, raising questions about how these changes will affect the educational landscape, including funding and support for schools and colleges.

Education officials assure that funding allocated by Congress will persist and that not all staff changes are yet known. However, with significant layoffs earlier this year that halved the department's workforce, there are concerns regarding the future capacity to support educational needs.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has actively campaigned for the dissolution, citing that functions like grant distribution could be managed more effectively by state governments and other federal entities. Critics argue that these moves can have detrimental effects on students who depend on federal support, particularly in low-income regions.

The department manages vital resources such as student loans and grants, including Pell Grants that make higher education accessible. Current proposals suggest that oversight for various educational funding programs might shift to the Department of Labor and Health and Human Services.

Moreover, the handling of federal student loans, totaling around $1.6 trillion, and services supporting students with disabilities could see significant changes, affecting their long-term welfare and educational opportunities.

As these shifts unfold, the broader implications on educational equity and accessibility, especially for marginalized groups, remain critically under scrutiny. The challenge for the administration will be ensuring that the redistribution of responsibilities does not undermine the essential support that the now-reducing Education Department has historically delivered.