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Federal Report
Ed department announces more moves to K-12 programs
March 16, 2026
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The following report was prepared by Dr. John Schilling, president of the Council of Elementary Educational Leaders and liaison for the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the California Federal Relations Coordinator for NAESP.
The Department of Education announced a new round of Interagency Agreements to move K-12 programs to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Programs being transferred are:
  • Promise Neighborhoods (previously included in the move to the Department of Labor).
  • Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) (previously included in the move to the Department of Labor).
  • School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV).
  • Statewide Parent Engagement Centers (SFEC).
  • Ready to Learn Programming.
Special education has not yet been moved but is expected to be at some point. There has already been significant pushback from parent and disability groups, which has delayed any move.
Special education was one of the programs U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon talked about moving since her confirmation hearing last year. There are significant legal protections and statutory requirements related to IDEA that would complicate any transfer.
Funding updates FY26 funding was enacted and is a huge win for education. Current funding levels for K-12 programs will be maintained and the administration’s proposed cuts and elimination of programs like Title II were rejected by lawmakers.
The spending plan provides nominal $20 million increases for Title I and IDEA that are importantly symbolic about federal investments for education. It also includes language requiring the Department of Education to regularly update Congress on their progress in implementing their interagency agreements.
FY27 budget outlook The administration is expected to release their FY27 budget request at the end of March. Title II is likely to be proposed for elimination again, as it has been in every previous Trump administration budget request.