Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made significant cuts to the Department of Education, totaling nearly $1 billion. This raises questions about the future of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which monitors student progress across the country. Many contracts were terminated recently, but officials from the Education Department say the IES will continue its essential work.
Madison Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Education Department, reassured that crucial initiatives, like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (sometimes referred to as the nation’s report card) and the College Scorecard, will not be affected. However, the cuts have alarmed many, as they involve major studies that monitor educational trends and student learning.
On Monday, at least 169 contracts related to the IES were canceled. These included critical research projects designed to track students from kindergarten to high school and evaluate reading strategies in elementary education. Cutbacks also included studies aimed at improving math learning among fourth and fifth graders. According to DOGE’s announcements on social media, 89 contracts worth $881 million were terminated, including a relatively small contract valued at $1.5 million for routine operational tasks.
The Department of Education plays a vital role in American education. It distributes federal funds to schools, manages student loans, oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and collects important data that informs educational policies. The department also protects students’ rights, ensuring equitable access to education, especially for marginalized groups.
Many are voicing their concerns about these cuts. Democratic Senator Patty Murray criticized the actions, emphasizing that quality education relies on strong research data. She argued that Musk’s cuts threaten the future of public education by undermining essential research that could support effective teaching practices.
Felice Levine, the executive director of the American Educational Research Association, warned that terminating these contracts could hinder the collection of crucial data on various educational aspects. This could lead to inaccurate national statistics on education, which would ultimately impact student learning.
In a recent comment, Elon Musk acknowledged the scrutiny his actions would face, while President Trump has spoken out about government inefficiency and the need for reform. The Trump administration is expected to keep pursuing spending cuts at the Department of Education, with plans for further action potentially coming soon.
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Department of Education,Donald Trump,Elon Musk,DOGE,Diversity,Research,Public Schools
