The Education Department gave another agency power to distribute its money. It hasn't gone well.

A controversial push to restructure federal education programs under the Trump administration has faced unexpected hurdles, raising questions about whether broader plans to overhaul the Education Department can still gain traction. Early efforts to reorganize accountability measures for schools and grant-making processes have encountered resistance, potentially weakening the momentum behind more sweeping reforms. Critics argue the setbacks could leave key education initiatives in limbo, while supporters maintain the administration remains committed to its vision. The outcome may hinge on whether officials can navigate political and bureaucratic challenges to advance their agenda.

The stumbles of an early Trump administration experiment to carve up the Education Department risks undercutting the president’s more dramatic demolition plan for the agency. The Labor Department ...