Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
The Shrinking Federal Footprint: Education Returns to the States. Backgrounder No. 3944 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Jonathan Butcher, Madison Marino Doan, Heritage Foundation, Center for Education Policy |
| Source: |
Heritage Foundation. 2026. |
| Availability: |
Heritage Foundation. 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002-4999. Tel: 202-546-4400; Fax: 202-546-8328; e-mail: info@heritage.org; Web site: http://www.heritage.org |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
16 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Intended Audience: |
Policymakers |
| Document Type: |
Opinion Papers |
| Education Level: |
Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Public Agencies, Education, Government School Relationship, Federal State Relationship, Government Role, Public Policy, Educational Policy, State Policy, Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, Equal Education, Students with Disabilities, School Responsibility, Civil Rights |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: |
Every Student Succeeds Act 2015, Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| Abstract: |
In 2025, federal officials began to downsize the U.S. Department of Education, reducing staff and moving administrative responsibilities to other federal agencies. With a smaller federal footprint in education, state lawmakers should develop policies to promote parent decision-making and reduce administrative burdens on schools. This paper provides policy recommendations for the changing roles of state and local policymakers in Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as the areas of civil rights and academic transparency. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED681001 |
| Database: |
ERIC |
