In a move that continues to reshape the landscape of federal education management, President Donald Trump’s administration announced new steps to redistribute the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education. On Monday, additional interagency agreements were unveiled, transferring certain duties to the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Realigning Responsibilities
The agreements will see the Education Department collaborate with the State Department on the reporting of foreign gifts and contracts, and with HHS on family engagement and school support initiatives. This is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the Department of Education, following seven similar agreements brokered in 2025 with various agencies including Labor and Interior.
“As we continue to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states, our new partnerships with the State Department and HHS represent a practical step toward greater efficiency, stronger coordination, and meaningful improvement,” stated Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
These changes have not gone unchallenged. Rachel Gittleman, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, criticized the agreements, accusing Secretary McMahon of unlawfully dismantling the department. “These moves come as the Trump Administration has attempted to fire large numbers of career public servants… and is now trying to shift their critical work across multiple federal agencies with no educational expertise,” Gittleman commented.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington also voiced her concerns, arguing that the agreements create unnecessary bureaucracy and jeopardize essential resources for students and families.
Focus on Foreign Gifts and Contracts
The Education Department assured in fact sheets that it will continue to maintain statutory responsibilities and oversight. Under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, institutions receiving federal financial aid must disclose foreign gifts or contracts over $250,000. The State Department will assist by managing the foreign funding reporting portal, leveraging its expertise to assess compliance, and identifying potential threats.
Expanding HHS’s Role
HHS is set to play a larger role in administering several key programs previously overseen by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. These include initiatives like the School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV), School Safety National Activities, and Statewide Family Engagement Centers. Each program aims to provide critical support ranging from violence recovery to educational media development for young children.
Efforts to Abolish the Department
Since his tenure began, Trump has aimed to decentralize the Department of Education, advocating for state-level control. The U.S. Supreme Court in July 2025 temporarily allowed mass layoffs and a downsizing plan introduced earlier that year. This initiative was outlined in a March 2025 executive order directing Secretary McMahon to facilitate the department’s closure.
Despite these efforts, Congress has resisted significant funding cuts, approving a budget of $79 billion for the department—$217 million more than the previous year and $12 billion above Trump’s proposal. While the spending package does not prevent the delegation of duties to other agencies, it does require biweekly briefings to keep lawmakers informed of the transition process.
