(The Lion)–The U.S. Department of Education will continue its departmental reduction and return education to the states in 2026, according to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

The department cut half of its employees in 2025, dropping from 4,200 to 2,100 staff members, Fox 45 News, Baltimore’s Fox affiliate, reported.

McMahon has said the department relocated numerous functions to other federal agencies, such as the Department of Labor (DOL).

“We’re working with our partners at @usedgov to eliminate failed bureaucracy and streamline education and workforce development programs under our department,” DOL said in a post on X. “This brings education closer to the states and ensures our students are the TOP PRIORITY!”

The Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter.

“Since the Department of Education was established, we’ve spent about $3 trillion on our public school system, and we’ve seen our scores continually decline,” McMahon told Fox. “So, we’re clearly doing something wrong.”

In March 2025, McMahon began a Returning Education to the States Tour, after which she will report on the best school practices and encourage state and local involvement, she told Fox. As of December, McMahon had visited 24 states.

Additionally, the department awarded $500 million to Charter Schools Programs and encouraged states to promote education choice policies, a review of its 2025 accomplishment says.

McMahon said the department is unnecessary since education is a parental decision and requires local involvement. She and President Trump hope to see it abolished by the end of his term, which will require action from Congress, Fox reports.

Watch McMahon’s 2025 recap video here:

A glimpse into 2026: more returning education to the states! pic.twitter.com/7MLxkg1O0y

— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) December 31, 2025