The U.S. Department of Education informed Congress it plans to dissolve the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), which administers federal English-learner programs, according to a letter dated Feb. 13 obtained by Education Week. The department says it will “redelegate OELA’s programs and duties to other offices,” ending the need for a standalone unit. OELA has overseen major funding lines including the $890 million Title III English language acquisition grant program and related professional development and educator resource efforts. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler said the change is part of a broader effort to “return education to the states.” The plan relies on a mechanism in the Department of Education Organization Act that requires 90 days’ notice, with the window set to expire next month.