Critics are concerned after the U.S. Department of Education announced it would terminate nearly $1 billion in research contracts. This decision has raised alarms about the potential loss of important data related to American schooling. Many experts believe this move could dismantle the agency’s research division significantly.
The announcement came from the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a new agency led by Elon Musk. The group revealed its decision to cancel 89 contracts worth around $881 million, along with 29 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training grants totaling $101 million. This effectively halts key functions of the Institute of Education Sciences, which collects and analyzes data on students and schools across the country.
According to an internal memo, a total of 169 education research contracts might be affected. Although researchers weren’t immediately laid off, many expect that notifications will come soon. The DOGE team indicated that the legality of these cuts did not influence their decision-making process.
While some contracts were preserved, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” many crucial programs were abruptly canceled. Projects like the What Works Clearinghouse, which has helped educators for years, and the School Pulse Panel, which gathers feedback from K-12 schools, were eliminated.
Other studies related to international education and early childhood development could also be at risk. Michael Itzkowitz, involved in creating the College Scorecard tool, warned that this loss of research could hinder America’s competitive edge. “We don’t want consumers to have more information about a blender than about educational institutions,” he said.
This action reflects ongoing changes at the federal Education Department, which has been under scrutiny, especially during the Trump administration. Reports have emerged that the DOGE team now has access to sensitive databases that include personal and financial details of millions of students, further adding to the controversy surrounding these cuts.
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