Source :-Brookings Institution

The administration of former President Donald Trump has taken another step toward changing the role of the US Department of Education by announcing a plan that gives many of the department's duties to other federal agencies. The move drew immediate criticism from top Democrats, who said that the changes hurt support for schools and put students' safety at risk across the country.

On Tuesday, the  US Department of Education announced new agreements between six federal agencies, including the departments of labor, interior, health and human services, and state. The department said that the changes were part of a larger plan to break down what it called the federal education bureaucracy and give oversight to agencies that it said are better suited to run certain programs.

The announcement says that the reorganization is meant to bring the administration closer to its stated goal of giving states more control over education. Officials said that working with other agencies would make the federal government run more smoothly, make it easier to do business, and help students and taxpayers get better results.

The restructuring plan calls for the labor department to play a big role in programs for elementary, middle, and high school students as well as college students. The Department of the Interior will be in charge of Native American education, and the Department of Health and Human Services will be in charge of foreign medical accreditation. The state department will help with new projects that have to do with education around the world.

Democratic lawmakers and education advocates quickly spoke out against the announcement, saying that the changes could limit federal oversight, disrupt existing programs, and weaken support systems for students who are already vulnerable. Critics were especially worried that the changes could lead to less accountability and inconsistent application of education policies across states.

The restructuring effort comes at a time when there are bigger discussions about the role of the federal government in public education. It also follows earlier efforts by the Trump administration and  US Department of Education to cut back on the education department's work. While officials say that the new agreements will make federal programs work better, those against them see them as a step toward taking away important protections for students and teachers.

As the practical effects of the policy changes on schools, colleges, and state education systems become clearer in the coming months, they are likely to come under more scrutiny.

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