The education department no longer considers nursing as a professional degree program, which can weaken funding for students wanting to enter the health care field.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon told CBS News that federal money to support low-income students and special education will continue to flow, as her department shifts some grant programs to other agencies.

Lance Christensen, vice president of government affairs and education policy for the California Policy Center, a conservative libertarian public policy organization, says Trump likely took Tuesday's action to put pressure on Congress to close the Department of Education or make other changes to reduce education programs at the federal level.

The new restructuring at the Education Department doesn't involve the student loan portfolio. But the instability at the agency could still harm borrowers.

NEA President Becky Pringle criticized President Trump's announcement during American Education Week to further dismantle the Department of Education.

The federal Education Department has weathered attempts to strip its powers since the top job became a cabinet level position more than 40 years ago.

A majority of registered voters back closing the Department of Education when they learn key details of how it would work, a shocking poll found. When asked about shuttering the Department of Education and given no other details,