Washington Update , March 30, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
As we move further into the spring policy season, activity in Washington continues to take shape across multiple fronts. While Congress is heading into recess there is significant activity surrounding appropriations and oversight. That said, of the movement in education policy remains driven by administrative decisions, regulatory interpretation, and evolving federal priorities.
Recent developments point to a continued emphasis on restructuring, oversight, and the intersection of federal policy with emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, civil rights enforcement, and accreditation standards. Many of these shifts are happening outside of major legislative vehicles, but carry significant implications for how education programs are funded, administered, and evaluated.
Below are several updates that have surfaced in recent conversations across the Hill and within federal agencies.
1. Federal Workforce and Facilities: Department of Education Headquarters Relocation
The Department of Education announced this week that it will vacate the Lyndon B. Johnson Building, its longtime Washington headquarters, this August. Staff will move roughly one block away to a smaller federal building at 500 D Street SW. The Department of Energy, which needs more space than its aging Forrestal building can provide, will move into the LBJ building in its place.
The numbers behind the move: the LBJ building is now approximately 70% vacant, a direct result of a roughly 50% workforce reduction since the start of the current administration. Moving to a smaller footprint will save an estimated $4.8 million annually in operating costs. The Energy Department's move out of the Forrestal building avoids an estimated $350 million in deferred maintenance costs on that facility.
Secretary McMahon framed the move as a marker of progress in reducing the federal education footprint. Republican appropriators cheered it. Democrats are more skeptical. Rep. Bobby Scott, the ranking Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, put it plainly: leaving the LBJ building does not cut bureaucracy, it rearranges it. Sen. Patty Murray raised concerns about the true cost of the transition. And separately, a GAO report found that the Department has not comprehensively tracked or assessed all costs associated with recent workforce reductions and restructuring, which adds some uncertainty to the full financial picture.
2. Congressional Oversight: Office for Civil Rights Capacity
A group of Senate Democrats is seeking additional information from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the capacity of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to investigate discrimination complaints following recent staffing reductions.
In a letter to Department leadership, lawmakers requested updated data on staffing levels, investigator caseloads, and the agency's ability to manage its workload. OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws across K–12 and higher education, including protections related to race, sex, disability, and national origin.
The inquiry follows a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examining workforce reductions that affected a significant portion of OCR staff and led to the closure of multiple regional offices. The report also noted that the Department did not fully assess or track all costs associated with these changes.
Lawmakers raised concerns about increased caseloads and a growing backlog of complaints, while also questioning how the Department is prioritizing investigations. The Department has indicated that the office continues to process cases, though questions remain about long-term capacity and oversight.
For special education preparation programs: OCR enforces Section 504 and Title II of the ADA, both of which directly protect students with disabilities in K–12 and higher education. Reduced investigative capacity at OCR has real implications for how disability-related complaints are handled and resolved.
3. Higher Education Policy: Accreditation and DEI Standards
Members of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) recently examined how accreditors are approaching diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards amid evolving federal guidance.
During its review of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the committee discussed whether references to equity gaps and disaggregated student outcome data could raise legal concerns under current interpretations of federal civil rights law. The committee ultimately recommended renewal of the accreditor's recognition, with a designation of "substantial compliance," requiring targeted updates.
The discussion reflects broader federal attention to how DEI-related language and practices are incorporated into accreditation standards. Perspectives among committee members varied, with some emphasizing caution around potential legal implications and others noting that interpretations remain unsettled and continue to be tested in the courts.
Because accreditation determines institutional eligibility for federal student aid, ongoing federal review in this area has direct implications for colleges and universities, particularly related to student outcomes, data reporting, and program design.
For educator preparation programs: accreditation standards that touch on disaggregated data and equity outcomes are directly relevant to how EPPs report on candidate and completer diversity. This is an area to watch closely as NACIQI review activity continues.
4. Congressional Activity: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins announced subcommittee assignments for newly appointed member Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH). Husted will serve on several key subcommittees, including Labor-HHS-Education, Agriculture-FDA, Financial Services, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, and State-Foreign Operations.
His placement on the Labor-HHS-Education subcommittee is particularly relevant for education stakeholders, as the panel oversees federal funding for K–12 education, higher education, and teacher preparation programs.
5. Federal Policy: Artificial Intelligence Legislative Framework
The White House released a national legislative framework for artificial intelligence (AI), outlining priorities for future federal action and providing a roadmap for congressional consideration.
The framework emphasizes a coordinated federal approach to AI governance, with a focus on maintaining U.S. competitiveness, supporting innovation, and establishing targeted safeguards. Key policy areas include workforce development, infrastructure and energy demands, intellectual property, fraud prevention, and child safety.
The Administration has also highlighted efforts related to AI and online protections for children, including initiatives focused on addressing the misuse of AI-generated content. Recent White House events and public engagement by the First Lady have underscored an increased emphasis on AI's role in education, digital literacy, and child development.
Taken together, these developments reflect a broader federal strategy that connects AI policy to workforce readiness, education systems, and emerging questions around regulation and safety.
For faculty and doctoral researchers: the intersection of AI policy with educator preparation, digital literacy, and child development creates an emerging research and advocacy space. Watch for how workforce development framing in the AI framework may connect to teacher pipeline and retention policy conversations.
TED IN THE NEWS
Dr. Matthew Marino — UCF 2026 Pegasus Professor
Big congratulations to TED member Dr. Matt Marino, Professor of Exceptional Student Education and Director of the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute at the University of Central Florida, who was just named one of UCF's 2026 Pegasus Professors; the university's highest faculty honor. Matt's research focuses on empowering independence and employment for people with disabilities, with an interdisciplinary approach that leverages emerging technologies including AI. What makes his story especially meaningful: Matt suffered a severe spinal cord injury while playing rugby in college, and has spent his career working to open doors of employment for people with disabilities who have faced similar challenges he navigated. UCF honored him alongside colleagues in AI, nursing, and cancer research — a reminder of the reach and relevance of our field. Congratulations, Dr. Marino, we like to think we are your number one fans but know you have many!
Dr. Sarah Nagro — Quoted at Texas A&M Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series
TED member Dr. Sarah Nagro, Associate Professor of Special Education at Texas A&M's College of Education and Human Development, was featured in local news coverage of the spring Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series, which featured Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. Sarah's takeaway from the event is one we should all carry into our own classrooms and programs right now: "We have to keep pushing ourselves, do not lower our standards, do not lower our expectations for our students, for our teachers, or for the leaders in this field. We need to keep expecting great things from our students and keep raising the bar." In a policy moment that can sometimes feel like the bar is being moved in the wrong direction, that reminder landed.
Is your work showing up in your local community? We want to feature you. TED members are doing remarkable things — publishing, presenting, being quoted, receiving honors, and making news. If you or someone you know has a story worth sharing, send it to us. This section exists to make sure our community sees and celebrates what TED members are building out in the field.
One final note before I let you go: at the time of this writing a 14-year-old from Pittsburgh is reportedly the only person left in the entire country, across both the men's and women's tournaments with a perfect March Madness bracket. Zero losses. Completely intact.
At this point I think I should just hand him my federal education budget spreadsheet and see what happens. If he can predict this tournament, he might be the most qualified person in the room to start making predictions on what the President’s forthcoming budget proposal is going to look like.
As always, thank you for the work you do every day. These policy conversations matter most when they are grounded in what you are seeing on the ground, so keep sharing what you are hearing.
Until next time,
Kait
@brennan_kait
