Education Department hands off more of its responsibilities to other US agencies - AP News
AP News
February 23, 2026
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The U.S. Education Department has transferred several of its responsibilities to other federal agencies as part of an ongoing reorganization aimed at streamlining operations and focusing on key priorities. This shift includes handing over tasks related to student loan management, data collection, and certain compliance functions to agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Management and Budget. The move reflects a broader trend within the federal government to consolidate responsibilities and reduce bureaucratic overlaps.
The rationale behind this reorganization is to enhance efficiency and better align agency missions with their core competencies. By transferring these duties, the Education Department aims to concentrate its efforts on areas such as K-12 education policy, higher education access, and civil rights enforcement. This restructuring also seeks to address long-standing issues within the department, including delays in student loan servicing and challenges in data management.
The transfer of responsibilities is expected to improve coordination between agencies and reduce administrative burdens. For instance, the Department of Health and Human Services will now oversee some aspects of student aid programs, while the Office of Management and Budget will take on additional oversight roles in budgetary and financial reporting. These changes are part of a larger effort to modernize federal operations and ensure that resources are allocated more effectively.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential gaps in accountability and continuity during the transition period. There are also questions about whether these agencies are adequately equipped to handle the新增 responsibilities without compromising service quality. Advocacy groups for
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Originally published on AP News on 2/23/2026