Changes within the DOE continue to take shape, educators fight for protection for students with disabilities, and schools remain pressured to end all DEI-related practices.
Higher Education
Trump takes further steps to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE).
As part of the Trump administration’s promise to “return education to the states,” DOE signed six new agreements moving billions of dollars in grant programs to different federal agencies. An especially significant shift will make the Department of Labor responsible for the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title I money for those serving low-income communities. Although Secretary of Education Linda McMahon maintains that schools will continue to receive federal funding, critics fear that parceling the Department will disrupt critical programs and create confusion for schools. While the Trump administration has promised to shutter the DOE, only Congress can do so, and it remains open.
K-12
Special educators fight to protect the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
More than 850 organizations released a joint statement to protect federal special education law, combating any changes that remove services for students with disabilities from DOE. Supporters of the statement argue that DOE should exist as a fully staffed and funded independent agency to oversee IDEA and Section 504 (the statement came days after DOE announced its transferring of six major programs to other federal agencies). The Trump administration has not yet removed special education programming from DOE but says it is still exploring the option.
DEI
State Department threatens to cut 38 universities from federal research programs.
The state department plans to suspend 38 schools from a federal research program as a consequence for engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. Schools indicated for suspension effective January 1, 2026 include Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and the University of Southern California. The state’s memo stated that it would “only include institutions with merit-based hiring practices” in its program The Diplomacy Lab and exclude those with DEI hiring policies.
Legal Developments
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sues its sixth state over college access for undocumented students.
DOJ filed its latest lawsuit against California for its “California Dream Act,” which allows state residents in-state tuition regardless of their immigration status. These lawsuits, also filed in Minnesota, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, and Oklahoma, could impact tuition affordability for more than 80,000 students in California.
How We Can Help
As education professionals stay informed of all federal updates and prepare for their impact, TIXC can help keep your schools compliant. For general up-to-date information and how it affects you and your institution, join us for TIXC Thursdays on the first Thursday of every month. For more information about our consulting services, including advising, hearing adjudication, and investigation, contact us at info@titleixconsult.com.