Will the Department of Education soon be no more? It seems so.

This week, the government announced an aggressive plan to dismantle the Department of Education — a plan that has been in the republican stratosphere for some time. Meaning, its broader role in supporting K-12 academics will likely come to an end in the near future.

The New York Times notes that the department’s responsibilities, which have been supervised by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Office of Postsecondary Education, will now be mostly managed by the Labor Department.

“Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission," Education Secretary Linda McMahon shared in a statement.

"As we partner with these agencies to improve federal programs, we will continue to gather best practices in each state through our 50-state tour, empower local leaders in K-12 education, restore excellence to higher education, and work with Congress to codify these reforms. Together, we will refocus education on students, families, and schools – ensuring federal taxpayer spending is supporting a world-class education system.”

The administration’s plan to decentralize education policy touches on a broader cultural debate about federal oversight, what Republicans have often referred to as “woke”  policies, and local control.

This move highlights a critical turning point that will impact millions of students, especially those in struggling communities.

"We'll peel back the layers of federal bureaucracy by partnering with agencies that are better suited to manage programs and empowering states and local leaders to oversee the rest. These partnerships are commonplace across the federal government to improve service delivery and increase efficiency,” McMahon also wrote in a USA Today op-ed.

Education advocates and organizations have swiftly responded, criticizing the controversial decision.

Though some have also called out the plan for what’s not included, particularly how the government plans to address student debt, which has reached historic highs.