FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2026
Contact: media@edtrust.org

Education Department’s Expanded Transfers Threaten Stability for Students and Families
Statement from Allison Socol, Vice-President of P-12 Policy, EdTrust

WASHINGTON – “The Trump administration continues to move programs housed within education laws and assigned by Congress from the Department of Education to other agencies in flagrant opposition to the law and responsible government.

“Congress has directly asserted there is no authority for these actions in the recently passed appropriations law that was signed by the president, which also prohibits using any funding designated to the Department of Education for transferring programs out of the Department. Without demonstrating evidence that these programs — designed to create safer schools or connect families to resources — could be better operated by making these unilateral changes, the administration has acted recklessly and with little regard to the families and schools that rely on these programs.

“As this administration illegally shifts responsibilities to other agencies in an effort to erase the Department, moving family engagement functions out of the Department risks real disruption for students and families. For underserved schools and communities, authentic family engagement is a non-negotiable — it is a proven strategy that builds trust, improves attendance, and supports students’ academics and mental health. Fragmenting that work across agencies could weaken coordination, create confusion, and make it harder for schools to build the trusted partnerships with families that help children thrive.

“We continue to call on Congress to reverse these unlawful actions and use their Constitutional authority to protect students.”

###