Department of Education Announces Transfer of Key Programs to Other Federal Agencies

On Nov. 18, the U.S. Department of Education announced the implantation of six interagency agreements with four federal agencies. The stated purpose of these agreements is to reorganize the administration of several federally funded education programs, with the goal of streamlining operations and leveraging the expertise of partner agencies. The departments of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services (HHS), and State will assume responsibility for the management of specific programs previously overseen by the Department of Education.

Under the new arrangements, the Department of Labor (DOL) will administer most federal K-12 education programs, including major grant funding streams such as Title I for low-income students, Title II for teacher development, and Title III for English-learner services. The DOL will also oversee most postsecondary education grant programs, with the intention of coordinating educational outcomes with workforce development initiatives.

The Department of Interior will become the primary federal agency for Indian Education programs, including those related to elementary and secondary education, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation. This transfer is intended to consolidate federal support for tribes and Native American students.

HHS will manage the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, which provides child care support for college students who are parents. HHS will also oversee the accreditation process for foreign medical schools, applying its expertise in medical education standards.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will administer programs under the Fulbright-Hays grant, consolidating the management of international education and foreign language studies. This transition is designed to align these programs with broader national security and foreign policy objectives.

The Department of Education will transfer funding but retain certain oversight of budget, criteria, and priorities for the transferred programs, while the partner agencies will be responsible for day-to-day administration and technical assistance. The Department of Education indicated that these changes are intended to reduce administrative overlap and improve the delivery of federally funded education services.

Department of Education officials have stated that grants and appropriations for affected programs will continue to be distributed according to existing statutory requirements. The Department of Education is conducting outreach to states and stakeholders to address questions and gather feedback during the implementation process.