What the federal education shift means for Arizona schools and students

By Stacy Mantle
Mail

The Trump administration announced Nov. 18 it would begin shifting most major functions of the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies as part of a broader effort to reduce or eliminate the department’s role in education policy.

While the department has not been formally abolished by Congress — a step  required under federal law — its operational footprint is being significantly reduced through executive action and interagency agreements.

Under the restructuring plan:

• Career and technical education programs would move to the Department of Labor
• Civil rights enforcement functions are expected to shift toward the Department of Justice
• Tribal education and federal trust responsibilities would be reassigned to the Department of the Interior
• Federal data, research and assessment systems are slated for integration with the National Science Foundation

Other functions, including Title I oversight, special education administration and higher-education financial aid, remain in flux, with federal officials indicating additional transfers may follow.

Special education advocates in Arizona warn federal staffing cutbacks have left enforcement systems stretched thin. 

“When you attack the infrastructure that protects 7.5 million kids, you’re not just weakening special education, you’re weakening public education as a whole," said Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of National Center for Learning Disabilities, during a Nov. 4 virtual town hall on federal shifts in special education oversight. 

Federal role in education shifts rapidly

Education leaders across Arizona described the changes as historic and deeply consequential, noting the DOE has served since 1979 as the primary federal mechanism for ensuring equity, civil rights enforcement and consistent funding across states.

“It’s really important that some outside agency like OCR  comes in — someone outside the school district can come in and see what’s going on…” Dr. Diana Newmark of the University of Arizona Education Advocacy Clinic told KOLD Tucson. “It’s really difficult to know how to navigate enforcement areas when we’re not sure if anyone’s going to pick up the phone.” 

“What we’re concerned about is do we have the capacity, the will and the foundation to do it?” said Karla Phillips-Krivickas, co-founder of Champions for Kids. 

Funding in flux for Arizona schools

Federal education funding continues to flow through congressional appropriations, but the mechanisms for oversight, compliance and enforcement are now uncertain.

Arizona receives more than $1.3 billion annually in federal education funding that supports Title I services, special education, career and technical education, English-language learners and higher-education financial aid.

District leaders warn even short-term disruption could affect students who rely most on federally supported services.

“We are working closely with the Arizona Department of Education to fully understand the legal and financial implications that the closure of the federal Department of Education may have on school operations,” said Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix. “Our top priority is making sure that all Arizona students, especially those with special needs, continue to receive the support and services they deserve.”

District administrators say the timing adds pressure to an already strained system, as schools grapple with staffing shortages, transportation challenges and rising student needs.

Experts on federal education policy say the restructuring effort will thrust greater responsibility onto states to manage functions historically coordinated at the national level. 

“It won’t be seamless and it won’t succeed unless the new agencies clearly communicate with states, communities and parents about their new flexibility,” said Jeanne Allen, founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform, noting the success of the shift depends heavily on state action and local implementation.

Civil rights and special education concerns

The Department of Education previously housed the Office for Civil Rights, which investigated complaints related to discrimination, disability access, Title IX compliance and desegregation orders. Advocates worry that transferring these responsibilities without a clear transition plan could weaken protections for vulnerable students.

“The recent dissolution of the Department of Education raises serious concerns for our nation’s most vulnerable students,” said Christine Marsh, a former state lawmaker and Arizona’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. “Without centralized oversight and the critical support systems that the Department of Education provides, equal access to resources may suffer. This will affect all students, but I am particularly concerned about our special needs students and students, schools and districts that receive Title I funding.”

Advocates note that civil rights enforcement relies on consistency across state lines, particularly for families navigating special education services or discrimination complaints.

Higher education braces for uncertainty

Colleges and universities are also awaiting clarity on how federal financial aid and student loan servicing will function under the new structure. Pell Grants and federal student loans remain authorized by Congress, but institutions say administrative delays or system changes could affect students’ access to aid.

Arizona’s community colleges serve a large population of first-generation students, many of whom depend on federal support to enroll and persist.

Could decentralization improve efficiency?

The White House states in its executive order on March 20 that decentralizing education oversight could reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency and return decision-making power to states and local communities.

The Heritage Foundation contends many federal education programs are already administered at the state level and shifting oversight to agencies with aligned missions — such as workforce programs under the Department of Labor — could better connect education to employment outcomes in their Mandate for Leadership: Education and Workforce Development (Project 2025).

Administration officials have argued civil rights enforcement and financial aid administration do not require a standalone education department, noting  similar functions exist within other federal agencies.

Critics counter while funding authority may remain intact, oversight, enforcement and accountability structures are far harder to replicate quickly, particularly for civil rights protections and special education services that rely on consistent national standards.

“This is part of a deliberate effort to dismantle public education in this country,” said Arizona Attorney General, Kris Mayes in a recent press conference. “There is absolutely no way that the Department of Education can perform its legal obligations with half the workforce. 

What's next

The restructuring of the federal education system marks one of the most significant shifts in national education governance in nearly half a century. While supporters argue it creates opportunities for state-driven innovation, educators and advocates stress that the transition must prioritize stability for students.

While Arizona districts, community colleges and universities continue to operate without interruption, leaders say the coming months will require sustained collaboration, transparent communication and close monitoring to ensure students do not lose access to critical services.

Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Stacy Mantle
Education Solutions Reporter

smantle@iniusa.org

Meet Stacy
Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.

Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.

Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!

Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.

Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.