The U.S. Department of Education is set to undergo significant workforce reductions, with nearly 2,100 employees slated to be placed on leave starting March 21. The move, which will see approximately half of the department’s staff cut, aligns with former President Donald Trump’s longstanding goal of reducing the size of the federal government.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the layoffs, stating that they were necessary to “better serve students, parents, educators, and taxpayers.” The department, which currently employs over 4,000 people, will be left with just over 2,100 employees following the layoffs. Additionally, several hundred employees had already retired or accepted buyouts earlier this year.
Established in 1979, the Department of Education is responsible for funding public schools, administering student loans, and running programs to support low-income students. However, a common misconception is that it operates schools or sets curricula, which are actually managed at state and local levels. Federal funding accounts for only about 13% of total primary and secondary school funding, with states and local groups providing the majority.
Despite the major reduction in workforce, the department stated that it will continue to fulfill its obligations, including managing federal student loans, Pell Grants, special education funding, and competitive grants. Employees affected by the layoffs will continue to receive full pay and benefits until June 9, along with severance packages or retirement pay based on their tenure.
The decision to downsize the department comes amid ongoing debates about the role of federal oversight in education. For decades, conservative leaders have pushed for the decentralization of education policy, advocating for more state and local control. Trump’s administration has been particularly critical of the department, accusing it of promoting a “woke agenda” through policies related to gender and race protections.
The layoffs have been met with significant opposition. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of the nation’s largest education unions, condemned the cuts, warning that they would create chaos in federal education programs. AFT President Randi Weingarten called for intervention from Congress and the courts to prevent the department from being gutted.
With Trump reportedly considering an executive order to further impact the department, legal challenges are expected. His administration has already faced multiple lawsuits over agency budget cuts and restructuring efforts. The fate of the Department of Education remains uncertain as political and legal battles unfold.
