Research Division of Education Department Faces Significant Reductions
An independent research division within the U.S. Department of Education is undergoing substantial cutbacks, according to department employees. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which plays a crucial role in collecting and analyzing data on various aspects of education, is reportedly being scaled down significantly. This division, which oversees studies on teaching methodologies and student performance across the country, is experiencing sweeping contract cancellations, sources reveal.
According to two employees familiar with the matter, several ongoing contracts have already been terminated. They provided NPR with screenshots of emails they received on Monday, confirming the cancellations. The employees became aware of these developments during an emergency meeting convened by IES leadership. Given the sensitivity of the situation, these individuals have requested anonymity due to concerns about job security.
Contract Terminations Impact Key Educational Studies
The Department of Education and the White House were contacted for a statement regarding these budgetary decisions. While the White House has yet to respond, an Education Department spokesperson directed inquiries to a Monday evening post on the X account for the Department of Governmental Oversight and Efficiency (DOGE). The post indicated that the Department of Education had terminated 89 contracts amounting to approximately $881 million. Among the terminated projects was a contract worth $1.5 million allocated to monitoring mailing and clerical functions at a mail center.
A third source with extensive knowledge of the canceled contracts revealed that one affected project was already active in classrooms. This initiative aimed to help students recover learning gaps in mathematics by utilizing adaptive digital tools. With the termination of the contract, this research will now be prematurely halted, potentially leading to the removal of these learning tools from schools in various states.
Surveys and Educational Data Collection Also Affected
The wave of cancellations extends beyond classroom learning initiatives, affecting key surveys and data collection efforts across multiple areas of education. Among the impacted programs are national surveys on private schooling, homeschooling trends, and career and technical education programs. These studies provide essential insights into student performance, educational access, and workforce readiness.
Education experts express concern that these cutbacks could undermine valuable research that informs policymaking and instructional strategies. The extent to which these terminations will affect long-term educational outcomes remains uncertain. Employees and researchers now await further clarification on whether additional reductions are forthcoming as part of broader federal budgetary adjustments.
