Department of Education Moves Key Programs to Other Agencies
On Tuesday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon took the next step toward the Administration’s goal of closing the U.S. Department of Education (ED) with an announcement to move various critical functions to other agencies.
The announcement of six “interagency agreements” includes the transfer of most functions under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)─the federal K-12 education law ─to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Other agencies entering into agreements with ED include the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), State, and Interior.
The interagency agreements temporarily transfer ED staff and functions, to be overseen by the receiving agencies. McMahon has described the agreements as “proof of concept,” and said if they are successful, she will ask Congress to codify the changes. In support of the move, McMahon asserted, “The Education Department is a pass-through agency… The money it sends to states for education can be sent directly without waste.”
CEC disagrees with this assertion, as do other special education advocates nationwide. The U.S. Department of Education plays a leading role in ensuring that children with disabilities receive the services they are entitled to under federal law. Specifically, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Service’s (OSERS) mission is to “improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the nation.” Those goals are achieved through oversight, technical assistance, and support for families, educators, and other stakeholders.
While OSERS has not entered into an interagency agreement yet, a transfer of that office’s functions to HHS is expected eminently.
Read the Press Release from ED
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