Skip to content

- Federal Policy Watch -

Federal Policy Watch

Welcome to Federal Policy Watch, a regular blog series from OAESA designed to keep our members informed about federal decisions that directly impact PreK-8 education. These updates are provided by OAESA’s Federal Relations Representative, Dr. Nick Neiderhouse, and will highlight key policy developments, funding decisions, and national conversations shaping the work of school leaders. Our goal is to ensure you have timely, relevant information to navigate the shifting federal landscape with confidence and clarity.

Federal Relations Update -- December 2025 

Department of Education Reorganization 

  • The Department of Education is undergoing a major reorganization with the functions of two key officers: 1) Elementary and Secondary Education and 2) Postsecondary Education moving to the Department of Labor.
  • Other offices are also being moved
    • Indian Education - Department of the Interior
    • International Education and Foreign Language programs - Department of State
    • Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPS) - Department of Health and Human Services
    • Foreign Medical Accreditation - Department of Health and Human Services
  • The sweeping moves came as a surprise as recent rumors had only focused on special education programs being moved to the Department of Health and Human Services as a proof-of-concept (with other offices to follow) as Secretary McMahon had previously mentioned multiple times.
  • The new plan was much broader and did not include Special Education.

K-12 Programs Moving to the Department of Labor

  • All of the programs in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will now be overseen by the Department of Labor.
  • This includes: 
    • Title I
      • Part A
      • State Assessments 
      • Migrant Children 
      • Neglected and Delinquent Children 
    • Title II - Supporting Effective Educators State Grants 
    • Title III - English Language Acquisition State Grants
    • Title IV
      • Student Support and Academic Enrichment State Grants 
      • 21st Century Community Learning Centers 
    • Impact Aid 

K-12 Competitive Grant Programs Also Moving to the Department of Labor

  • SEED Programs 
  • Charter Schools 
  • Arts and education programs 
  • Teacher quality partnership grants 
  • American History and Civics
  • Promise Neighborhoods 
  • Magnet Schools 
  • Full-Service Community Schools 

Statements 

Ongoing Concerns 

  • The moves are being made through Interagency Agreements which are a work around from the legal requirements that K-12 education and postsecondary education be housed in the Department of Education.
  • The Department of Education will retain authority to disburse funding, but the Department of Labor will monitor implementation and interface with State Education Agencies.
  • Many of the plans about how Labor will administer all of these grants and oversee activities are still in development.
  • It remains unclear what will happen to current Department of Education staff and whether they will transfer to the Department of Labor or perhaps lose their jobs.
  • The fate of special education programs is uncertain.
  • The reorganization is very similar to what is called for in the “Project 2025” blueprint with the goal of dismantling the Department of Education and the longer-term effort to eliminate federal funding for K-12 education.
  • If you have experiences or concerns related to the reorganization (which might not be apparent for several months), please share them. Feedback will help inform Congress’ response to these changes.
  • Although the reorganization announcement was made in November, the Interagency agreements were signed on September 30, 2025.

Government Shutdown 

  • The most recent government shutdown was the longest in history lasting 43 days.
  • Temporary funding runs through January 30, 2026
    • That is the deadline for Congress to enact its appropriations bills or pass another short-term funding extension
  • Reopening deal
    • FY26 funding was enacted for the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs and for Military Construction
    • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding restarted.
    • All furloughed workers will receive back pay.
    • Workers laid off during the shutdown are rehired through at least January 30, 2026.
      • This includes 450 Department of Education staff members
    • There will be a Senate vote on subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. 

FY26 Funding 

  • The appropriations process is resuming; therefore, it is important to note that the Senate’s FY26 education funding bill is significantly better than the House FY26 education funding bill. 
    • The House bill
      • Cuts Title I by nearly $5 billion
      • Eliminates funding for Title II and Title III
    • The Senate bill
      • Slightly increases Title I funding
      • Maintains funding for Title II and Title III
  • Please use this action alert to contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to maintain FY26 funding at its current levels. 

Miscellaneous 

  • H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 
    • Federal mandate on concealed carry weapons that would require states to accept a conceal carry permit issued by another state. 
    • This bill, if passed, would supersede Gun-Free School Zone prohibitions, ultimately allowing concealed carry weapons on school grounds. 
    • NAESP opposes this bill. 

Federal Relations Archived Updates:

Questions can be directed to OAESA Federal Relations Coordinator: Dr. Nick Neiderhouse at nneiderhouse@rossfordschools.org

Scroll To Top