On March 20, 2025, the Administration issued an Executive Order directing the Education Secretary to close the federal Department of Education and return authority over education to the states. The Department of Education provides essential guidance, support, and funding to state and local education agencies as they work to implement federal education law. It oversees national education policy and holds states accountable when students' needs are not met. Without a department, existing programs would be distributed to other federal agencies that do not have the knowledge or expertise in education. There will no longer be a national entity to ensure that every student, including those with disabilities, has equal access to a free and appropriate education in every state.