The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and former Department of Education officials submitted a formal request on Monday for an Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation. The group is seeking a review of the interagency agreement that transferred the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) to the Department of Labor. The request alleges the transfer has resulted in undocumented costs, such as staff relocation and grant infrastructure changes, and has increased administrative complexity for grantees.
The Trump administration stated that the transfers are designed to reduce federal bureaucracy and streamline program management. An Education Department spokesperson said the move aims to ensure Americans are prepared for careers by breaking up legacy bureaucracy. Conversely, AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman stated that the move has created "red tape" and led to funding delays and confusion for stakeholders.
The IG request follows the introduction of 10 bills by Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee on July 9. If passed, these bills would codify the administration's interagency agreements to move various Education offices to other departments. Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., stated the legislative package focuses on student success over preserving bureaucracy. The committee is scheduled to mark up the measures on Wednesday.
Recent workforce data from the Office of Personnel Management indicates the Department of Education's staff has decreased from approximately 4,200 in 2024 to nearly 2,300. A previous IG report noted that earlier staff reductions and layoffs had impacted the department's ability to complete certain legally mandated activities.