What’s Next for the U.S. Department of Education

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.” This EO directs the Secretary of Education “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the [U.S.] Department of Education.”

Fully abolishing the Department of Education (ED) requires Congressional approval—which currently lacks sufficient support. However, the Administration can take actions in the short- and long-term that could impact audiologists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and the students you serve.

So far, the Administration has signaled conflicting messages, making it challenging to predict what this EO really means for the future of ED and the programs it oversees. For example, the Administration has shared no concrete details on managing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA's) Part B Grants to States that provide most of the federal special education funding to school districts; distributing Pell grants for higher education; and managing the student loan program for colleges.

What’s Next?

Based on the substance of the EO, it’s unclear what actions Secretary of Education Linda McMahon may take to carry out the order. We anticipate the focus will be on developing a legislative plan to eliminate ED, shifting certain programs and responsibilities to other federal agencies, and reducing funding and resources for others.

Eliminating the Department of Education

Legally eliminating ED would require legislation passed by Congress. The Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), has announced that he soon plans to introduce legislation to “accomplish the president’s goals.” The Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI), has expressed support for the Administration’s goal of reducing the size and role of ED. In addition, similar efforts have already been included in legislation such as H.R. 899, which calls for terminating ED by December 31, 2026.

While legislation to eliminate ED may be considered in House and/or Senate committees, currently there is not enough support for such a bill to pass both the House and the Senate to be signed into law.

Shifting Programs to Other Federal Agencies

The Administration has discussed returning ED functions either to the states or to other federal Cabinet agencies. However, the Administration has also sent mixed signals regarding how they plan to proceed with transferring certain functions to other federal agencies and whether they will wait for Congressional approval to officially act. For instance, on March 21, 2025, the president announced programs such as IDEA will move immediately to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) but Secretary McMahon subsequently clarified that the Administration will work with Congress and follow the law.

If IDEA functions move to HHS, this shift could ultimately mean educational audiologists and SLPs will need to adopt medical rather than educational approaches because ED’s mission and programs are primarily education and academic focused, while HHS’ mission and programs are primarily health focused. This would significantly impact IDEA’s core mission of providing accessible, quality education to students with disabilities. It could also weaken the connection between special education and general education programs, limit effective coordination with K-12 and postsecondary programs, and undermine academic accountability.

There is also speculation that other ED functions, such as student loans, would be moving to the U.S. Department of Treasury or Small Business Administration, and the Office for Civil Rights to the U.S. Department of Justice. Separating IDEA from civil rights enforcement under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act may reduce civil rights protections for students receiving IDEA services.

Reducing Funding and Resources

The Administration has other authorities that could potentially impact the professions. In addition to transferring certain functions to other federal agencies, other actions may include implementing a reduction in force (RIF), which the Administration has already begun by eliminating “nearly 50% of the department’s workforce.” The Administration may also reduce, reinterpret, or eliminate contracts, discretionary grants, and civil rights enforcement.

During her confirmation hearing, Secretary McMahon said, "it’s not the president’s goal to defund the programs," which implies IDEA funding would remain. Federal funding for education amounts to less than 15%, with the remainder coming from states. Funding for the 2025-2026 academic year has already been appropriated by Congress. This probably means that school district positions funded by IDEA are not likely to be reduced since federal IDEA funding remains similar to last school year. However, we are concerned that there might be some disruptions in distributing money to states due to the staffing reductions at ED.

Regardless of any structural changes to ED, continued advocacy for education funding will be critical to ensure that states and districts have the funding they need. Even if IDEA funding is not reduced, other programs that support students with disabilities—like school-based Medicaid—could face cuts. For example, school-based audiologists and SLPs deliver critical services and supports under IDEA to Medicaid-enrolled children every day. Medicaid funding―which is one of the largest funding sources for schools―helps ensure those services are delivered as required by law. Schools could be forced to make difficult choices if another critical source of funding is lost to Medicaid cuts.

ASHA is closely monitoring policy and funding changes that could impact programs or services provided by school-based members.

What ASHA Is Doing

ASHA is advocating to protect funding and programs for the students you serve and the educational audiology and speech-language pathology services they rely on. We are closely monitoring all ED proposals that could negatively impact educational audiologists, SLPs, and the students you serve. Other federal education issues we’re advocating on include fighting for access to school-based Medicaid; protecting Section 504; and increasing college affordability.

What You Can Do

You can send messages to your members of Congress urging them to preserve the integrity and role of the ED. As their constituent, your voice matters the most and will strengthen our collective advocacy efforts.

Due to the evolving and dynamic nature of these developments—as well as potential legal questions—ASHA will provide updates as changes warrant.

• Stay informed through ASHA Advocacy news, updates on EOs, and summaries of EOs impacting audiology and speech-language pathology.
• Visit ASHA’s Understanding Executive Orders page to see what EOs can and cannot do.
• Learn more about the history of ED and actions from previous Administrations.
• Reach out to your administrators or your state education agency (SEA) for information/guidance on how this EO may impact your specific school district.

Questions?

If you have questions about the ED’s functions and programs, contact Bill Knudsen, ASHA’s director of education policy, at bknudsen@asha.org.

For information about how to engage in federal legislative advocacy to preserve the role and integrity of the ED, contact Eric Masten, ASHA’s director of federal affairs, education, at emasten@asha.org.