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The Shrinking Federal Footprint: Education Returns to the States. Backgrounder No. 3944

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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
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 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.
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Public Agencies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education
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      – SubjectFull: Government School Relationship
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