The Further Gutting of the Department of Education

New York

EdTrust–New York is a statewide education policy and advocacy organization focused first and foremost on doing right by New York’s children. Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we advocate for students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked.

West

EdTrust–West is committed to dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust-West engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice and increases political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners, especially those experiencing poverty, will thrive.

Massachusetts

The Education Trust team in Massachusetts convenes and supports the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership (MEEP), a collective effort of more than 20 social justice, civil rights and education organizations from across the Commonwealth working together to promote educational equity for historically underserved students in our state’s schools.

Higher Education

Advocacy

The Further Gutting of the Department of Education

Cutting nearly half of mission-critical positions across the Department of Education means fewer resources and support for students and families

March 11, 2025 by Blair Wriston

View of the entrance to the Department of Education building in Washington DC

The Department of Education is dramatically reducing their workforce, as announced today. The truth is, this is the worst possible time to eliminate essential Department of Education roles. The U.S. is already facing a literacy crisis and declining math performance, and students need more support, not less.

Cutting nearly half of mission-critical positions across the Department of Education workforce doesn’t just destabilize the lives of thousands of families of dedicated career employees, it means fewer resources and support for students and families, as well as teachers, schools, and colleges. Without a fully functional Department of Education, students from low-income, rural, and underserved communities will be hit the hardest.

The Department of Education Is Critical to Student Success

A strong Department of Education helps states and districts with the resources necessary to ensure students are prepared to compete in the global economy and meet workforce demands. Simply put: a weakened Department of Education makes schools and colleges weaker — therefore making America weaker.

Job Cuts Threaten Essential Services & Student Rights

These deep cuts raise serious concerns about the Department’s ability to:

Enforce education laws and civil rights protections
Deliver funding and services to states, school districts, and students
Process student financial aid for millions of students and families

Continued efforts to dismantle public education only advance the core policies of Project 2025. Program supports are being gutted and staff who protect students’ civil rights, address student academic achievement, and provide access to and support in higher education are eliminated. But Trump and DOGE are slashing and dashing in favor of giving tax cuts for billionaires, ignoring the needs of our nation’s students.

Undermining America’s Economic Future

An educated workforce leads to innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness. But these cuts will create significant challenges for America’s progress and economic strength. And we cannot stress this enough: as a nation, we are only as strong as the students our education system serves, and an uneducated workforce will leave the next generation behind.