The Puerto Rican government has announced plans to dramatically decentralize their Education Department.

The change comes as part of an effort to improve a school system which in the past has been criticized for being inefficient and corrupt. The hope is that the shift will allow decisions to be made at the local level.

The U.S. Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, expressed support for the decentralization plan.

“The important actions announced today will lead to a better tomorrow for students and families across Puerto Rico,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “I applaud Governor Pedro Pierluisi for taking this bold step to decentralize Puerto Rico’s education system, because we know that students do better when schools are responsive to young people’s needs and when they partner directly with the parents, families, and communities they serve.”

Puerto Rico operates the nation’s sixth largest school district with over 225,000 students and over 800 schools.