Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department of Education and transferring its functions to other federal and state entities.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon has overseen a 50% workforce reduction and is coordinating with agencies like the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services for function reallocation.
• Concerns persist about the impact on disadvantaged students, including those with special needs and from low-income households, as well as the continuity of federal civil rights enforcement.
• The Office for Civil Rights may be absorbed into the Department of Justice, but uncertainty remains over the status of ongoing investigations, including cases related to transgender student policies and antisemitism on college campuses.
• Legal and congressional approval are required for the department's full dismantling, with McMahon actively engaging lawmakers to advance the administration's agenda.