The United States Department of Education is a cabinet-level federal agency responsible for establishing policy for, administering, and coordinating most federal assistance to education. It officially began operations in 1980, having been established by the Department of Education Organization Act signed by President Jimmy Carter. An earlier version of the department was created in 1867 but was soon downgraded to an office, with the modern department representing its reinstatement as a cabinet-level entity.
The department is notable for its role in overseeing federal financial aid for education, collecting data on America's schools, and enforcing federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights. Its policies and funding allocations directly impact public schools, universities, and students across the nation, making it a central institution in the American education system.
Recently, the Department of Education has been prominent in news coverage due to proposed structural changes. Multiple news outlets have reported that the current administration is taking steps toward dismantling portions of the department, including transferring some of its offices and functions to other federal agencies. These reported moves have raised concerns about the potential impact on various educational programs and services.
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- Special Education Services At Risk Under Department of Education Cuts - EdSurge 2025-11-19 02:35 · EdSurge
- Trump administration to announce dismantling of some of Education Dept. - The Washington Post 2025-11-19 02:34 · The Washington Post
- Trump administration shares new moves to dismantle more of the Education Department - NPR 2025-11-19 02:25 · NPR
- Education Department to begin transferring offices to other agencies in move toward dismantling it - abcnews.go.com 2025-11-19 02:22 · abcnews.go.com
- Education Department offloads some work to other agencies as Trump presses for its closure - NBC4 Washington 2025-11-19 02:19 · NBC4 Washington
- Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the Education Department - Los Angeles Times 2025-11-19 02:17 · Los Angeles Times
- Department of Education Sets Agenda for Federal Student Loan Overhaul - ACA International 2025-11-19 02:09 · ACA International
- Trump Dismantles Education Department, Here’s What Happens to Student Loans - Newsweek 2025-11-19 02:07 · Newsweek
- New Moves to Dismantle Education Department Threaten Students’ Rights and Safety - Jewish Council for Public Affairs 2025-11-19 01:55 · Jewish Council for Public Affairs
- Education Department offloads some work to other agencies as Trump presses for its closure - AP News 2025-11-19 01:46 · AP News