As the paradigm for elementary and secondary education shifts more toward local community and state-specific innovations and solutions, it seems we must also acknowledge that we are likely at a time in history whereby the roles of our large, national education department must shift and transform in order for the operation to maintain its relevance as a champion for educational equality nationwide. The need for school districts and their school leaders to be more responsive to the specialized academic needs of their students hearkens for more decentralized approaches to K-12 teaching and learning. This will necessarily require that more of the decision-making and controls regarding implementation and resource allocation of federal education funds be done on the ground at the state and local levels. Creative partnerships need to be formed between the federal government and state education agencies to facilitate new ways of resource sharing and collaboration that allow the flexibility necessary for responding to the unique school challenges in distinct schools and districts. The U.S. Department of Education will have to be a strong partner for states and school districts so that they have the space, time, and resources to successfully provide high quality education across rural, suburban, and urban school settings. The new and evolving education paradigm demands a federal education department that is committed to the funding of innovation and best practices, and the application of responsible methods of oversight, high standards, and accountability for our nation’s school systems.