Education Shake-Up: What's Changing and Why It Matters

In late 2025, the Department of Education underwent significant changes. The Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, initiated several interagency agreements to shift key programs to other federal agencies. This move is part of President Trump's push to dismantle the Department of Education, a goal he has pursued since his second term. The Supreme Court allowed these changes to proceed, despite Congress not fully supporting the abolition of the Department. Programs like career and technical education were moved to the Department of Labor. Other programs are also being transferred to agencies like the Department of Interior, the Department of State, and Health and Human Services. Critics worry about the impact on students. Title I funding, which supports low-income school districts, is being moved to the Department of Labor. This funding is crucial for leveling the playing field in education. Delays in allocating these funds have already caused problems, and more disruptions could be on the horizon. Students with disabilities are also a major concern. The Office of Special Education Programs was nearly shut down during the government shutdown, but those layoffs were reversed. There are fears that this office could be moved to the Health and Human Services Department, which could further disrupt services for students with disabilities. For college students, the Federal Student Aid Office remains unchanged. This office handles trillions of dollars in student loans and administers the FAFSA. Despite past delays, the FAFSA application process has improved recently, and there are no immediate plans to move this office to another agency. The Department of Education was created in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to address disparities in education access. The goal was to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have equal opportunities. The current changes raise questions about whether these goals will be maintained. Education Secretary Linda McMahon believes these changes will benefit students. However, it remains to be seen whether these claims will hold true. The upheaval in the Department of Education has caused uncertainty, and it will take time to assess the full impact of these changes.