The Education Department on Tuesday announced four more “interagency” agreements sharing key responsibilities with other federal agencies.The development marks Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s latest move to effectively dismantle her agency, in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order last March essentially abolishing the department and returning control to the states. With this week’s directive, McMahon has now signed a total of 14 interagency agreements. The latest partnerships mean certain special education and rehabilitative services will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services, while the Department of Justice will start taking over the Education Department’s civil rights enforcement, student privacy protection, and training and advisory services.
“The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential,” McMahon said in a statement.
“Through our partnership with HHS, we will align federal services with the goal of strengthening academic outcomes and supporting individuals with disabilities so that they can achieve greater independence, key life skills, and meaningful employment,” she continued. “The Department of Education will also team up with DOJ to ensure stronger, more coordinated civil rights enforcement and robust protections for student privacy. These agreements align federal responsibilities with the agencies best positioned to support them, strengthening the effectiveness and impact of critical services.”
