Teachers, students, and union leaders are set to protest on Wednesday against recent decisions made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. They claim these actions threaten essential educational research and student privacy.
This rally follows DOGE’s surprising termination of 89 contracts, amounting to $881 million, at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This decision puts a halt to significant research efforts, including a multi-state study aimed at helping students recover from math learning losses caused by the pandemic.
One insider referred to these cuts as “devastating,” highlighting the importance of understanding what strategies truly benefit students.
The backlash doesn’t stop there. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), along with other unions, has filed a federal lawsuit. They allege that DOGE staff, including a young employee with a history of data leaks, improperly accessed sensitive student loan information, Social Security numbers, and more.
AFT President Randi Weingarten, who will lead the protest, described the situation as a significant data breach affecting millions of Americans and fed into artificial intelligence, calling it one of the largest hacks in U.S. history.
This unrest casts uncertainty over the upcoming confirmation hearing for Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon. Protesters are urging her to ensure that Musk and his team are removed from the department if she is confirmed.
During an emergency meeting on Monday, department employees expressed their dismay over the contract terminations, which impact research on teaching practices, student success, and educational alternatives like private schools and homeschooling.
Thomas Weko, a former commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics, labeled the halting of research as “surprising” and “unnecessary,” emphasizing the need for educational research to match standards in fields such as medicine.
So far, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” remains unaffected by these cuts. Although, as of now, the White House has not commented on this matter, a Department of Education spokesperson indicated that the terminations were intended to save costs.
The protest is planned for 11 a.m. at the Department of Education’s C Street entrance. If weather conditions worsen, organizers are ready to shift to an online format.
