WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's administration took further steps on Tuesday to break down the Education Department by shifting key duties for protecting vulnerable students to other parts of the federal government.

The Department of Justice will now handle civil rights enforcement in schools while the Department of Health and Human Services assumes oversight of special education programs, according to administration officials. These changes leave the Education Department with only a small portion of its original responsibilities still under its direct control.

The affected offices include the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services along with the Office for Civil Rights. These units have long worked to safeguard children with disabilities and address discrimination issues tied to race, sex or religion. Experts have raised concerns that the moves may disrupt communication channels for families and school staff seeking guidance.

Trump campaigned on eliminating the Education Department entirely and returning control to the states. Although Congress holds the authority to shut it down, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has arranged transfers of many functions to other agencies through formal agreements.

McMahon stated that the transfers place responsibilities with agencies best suited to manage them effectively.

"The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential," McMahon said in a prepared statement.

Advocacy groups warned that the restructuring introduces risks for services used by millions of students and their families.

"As is too often the case, traditionally underserved students including students with disabilities, Black and Latino students, multilingual learners, students from low-income backgrounds, and students in rural communities will bear the greatest burden created by this reckless decision, to which the disability and civil rights communities have already been vehemently opposed," said a statement from EdTrust, a Washington-based organization focused on educational equity.

The Education Department had already transferred several programs via earlier internal deals, yet the offices highlighted in Tuesday's announcement drew particular attention due to their direct impact on students.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services distributes major grant funding and monitors state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Meanwhile the Office for Civil Rights, already reduced through staff cuts, investigates discrimination complaints at schools and colleges nationwide.

The Department of Justice will additionally assume duties related to student privacy protections and offer training along with advisory support to educational institutions.

Although Justice and Health and Human Services will manage most routine operations, the Education Department will retain limited roles such as responding to audits and issuing final rulings in civil rights matters as required by law.

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, described the announcement as a political move aimed at delivering on campaign pledges. He added that the shifts could increase disparities for students of color and those with disabilities.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., noted that the agreements send education programs to agencies lacking the necessary expertise to run them properly.

"Instead of helping kids get a great education, this administration is spending its time, energy, and taxpayer resources fixated on where employees sit and illegally trying to shutter the Department of Education," Murray said in a prepared statement.

Rachel Gittleman, who leads the union representing department staff, said the changes will generate confusion for families, students and schools alike.

"This will leave our most vulnerable students and families who have been shut out of our education system without the services they need and without protection when they face discrimination," Gittleman said in a prepared statement.

Disability advocates expressed particular alarm over moving special education oversight to Health and Human Services, arguing that education specialists rather than medical professionals should monitor compliance for children with disabilities.

"The IDEA is intended to equip students as they learn alongside their peers, not cure them. The HHS is not prepared to oversee and administer the IDEA program effectively. Health and education systems speak in entirely different languages, including variations in terminology, training and disciplines," said Jennifer Coco, interim executive director of the Center for Learner Equity.

The Education Department noted that McMahon held extensive listening sessions over six months with families, advocates and educators to review potential effects of the restructuring on special education. While many participants highlighted barriers to obtaining services, Coco said those involved remained united against relocating oversight away from the Education Department.

"I think we agree on the problem," Coco said. "We have stark disagreement on the solution and these transfers today do not feel like a solution to that problem."