Education Department Transfers Special Education and Civil Rights Duties in Major Restructuring Move

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a significant restructuring initiative that shifts key responsibilities for special education services and civil rights enforcement to other federal agencies, marking another step in the Trump administration's broader effort to reduce the department's role.

Under four new interagency agreements, oversight of special education and rehabilitation programs will move to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), while civil rights enforcement responsibilities will be transferred to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the changes are intended to place federal functions within agencies better equipped to manage them.

The move has sparked concern among education advocates, parents and disability rights groups. Critics argue that transferring special education oversight to HHS could alter the educational focus of programs that support millions of students with disabilities.

Federal officials emphasized that services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will continue without interruption and that students will retain all protections guaranteed under federal law, including access to a free and appropriate public education.

Advocacy groups remain skeptical, warning that the shift could create uncertainty for families who rely on specialized educational support. Some argue that HHS traditionally operates under a healthcare framework, while special education services are best managed through an educational approach.

The restructuring aligns with President Donald Trump's long-standing goal of reducing the federal government's role in education and returning more authority to states. Since taking office, the administration has pursued several interagency agreements that redistribute responsibilities across federal departments, including the transfer of student loan management functions to the Treasury Department.

Supporters of the changes say the reorganization will streamline government operations and reduce bureaucracy, while opponents fear it could weaken oversight and complicate access to services for students with disabilities and families seeking civil rights protections.