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, just days after the U.S. Secretary of Education argued that the recent government shutdown highlighted the department’s limited necessity. The plan would shift key functions—including oversight of student loans and civil rights enforcement—to other federal agencies, signaling a potential overhaul of federal education policy. Critics and advocates warn the move could weaken protections for students and borrowers, while supporters frame it as a step toward reducing bureaucratic inefficiency. The proposal comes amid ongoing debates over the role and scope of federal education involvement.

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 ...