On Nov. 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced agreements with the Departments of Labor (DOL), Interior (DOI), Health and Human Services (HHS) and State with the intent to reduce administrative burden and streamline federal education activities. Educational institutions should be aware of and monitor for changes to relevant programs resulting from these partnerships.
The DOL and the ED formed two partnerships. The Elementary and Secondary Education Partnership allows the DOL to take on a greater role in administering federally funded K-12 programs by providing support such as management of competitions, technical assistance and integration of the ED’s programs with the DOL’s existing employment and training programs. The Postsecondary Education Partnership allows the DOL to do the same for postsecondary grant programs funded by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
The DOI and the ED entered into the Indian Education Partnership to allow the DOI to take on a greater role in administering Native-serving programs across K‑12, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation, and integrate them into the DOI’s existing programs.
The ED also formed two partnerships with HHS. Under the Foreign Medical Accreditation Partnership, HHS will provide subject matter expertise to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation and evaluate whether the accreditation standards for foreign medical schools where U.S. citizens are enrolled are comparable with those for domestic medical schools. Under the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Partnership, HHS will have a larger role in administering federally funded childcare support grants awarded to postsecondary institutions with the goal of improving on-campus support for parents enrolled in college.
Finally, the Department of State and the ED entered into the International Education and Foreign Language Studies Partnership, which will allow State to help administer programs under the Fulbright-Hays grant.
For questions about these developments or assistance in navigating the changes in this regulatory landscape, contact the firm’s Education Industry Team.