Shutdown proves how much Department of Education is needed, experts say

A top Trump administration official has proposed major changes to the Department of Education, arguing its functions could be absorbed by other agencies, just days after the U.S. Secretary of Education suggested the recent government shutdown highlighted the department’s perceived redundancy. The plan would shift key responsibilities—including student aid programs—to other federal bodies, raising questions about how such a restructuring would impact education funding and oversight. Critics and advocates warn the move could disrupt long-standing support systems for students and schools, while supporters frame it as a step toward streamlining government operations. The proposal comes amid ongoing debates over federal education policy and the role of the department in shaping national education priorities.

Days after U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the government shutdown proved how unnecessary the Department of Education is, the Trump administration announced plans to transition key ...