Musk’s DOGE Slashes $900M in Education Research Contracts/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has cut $900 million in funding from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the federal office that tracks U.S. student progress. The move has terminated 169 contracts, raising concerns among education experts, researchers, and lawmakers. The Education Department insists key programs like the NAEP (Nation’s Report Card) and College Scorecard will remain, but critics warn that the cuts could hinder accountability and equity in education. Sen. Patty Murray and education advocacy groups have vowed to fight the decision, calling it “a reckless dismantling of critical research.”
Massive Education Research Cuts Under Musk’s DOGE: Quick Looks
The Cuts at a Glance
- DOGE slashed $900 million in education research contracts, affecting the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
- 169 research contracts were abruptly terminated, reducing IES’s ability to track student progress, school funding, and program effectiveness.
- The Education Department claims the NAEP (Nation’s Report Card) and College Scorecard will remain funded, but details remain unclear.
Why IES Matters
- IES is the primary federal office tracking U.S. student achievement.
- It provides critical data on school performance, equity gaps, and education outcomes.
- Colleges and policymakers rely on IES research to improve student success and fund programs.
Who Supports the Cuts?
- Trump and Musk’s DOGE argue that IES funding is excessive, calling some contracts unnecessary.
- DOGE social media posts revealed $1.5M was cut from a contract that funded clerical observations at a mail center.
- DOGE also canceled 29 DEI training grants totaling $101M, as part of the administration’s broader move to reduce diversity-related spending.
Who’s Pushing Back?
- Education groups warn the cuts will hurt accountability in schools and weaken oversight.
- The American Educational Research Association and the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics demand the contracts be reinstated.
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) blasted the cuts, calling Musk an “unelected billionaire bulldozing public education research.”
Trump’s Long-Term Plan: Dismantling the Education Department
- Trump has pledged to abolish the Education Department entirely, handing power to states and local schools.
- The White House is considering an executive order directing the education secretary to dismantle the agency as much as possible.
- However, Congress controls much of the department’s budget, limiting Trump’s unilateral power to defund it.
Trump Admin Slashes Education Research Budget: What’s at Stake?
Musk’s DOGE Cuts $900M From U.S. Education Research
The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has eliminated $900 million in education research funding, raising alarms among education leaders and lawmakers.
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which tracks U.S. student progress, school performance, and federal education program effectiveness, has seen 169 contracts abruptly canceled—a move critics say undermines education accountability and oversight.
“We cannot improve education if we don’t know what’s working and what’s failing,” said the Education Trust, an advocacy group.
What the Cuts Affect
- The Education Department insists core programs like the NAEP (Nation’s Report Card) and College Scorecard remain funded.
- Key research on school funding, teacher effectiveness, and student outcomes faces significant disruptions.
- Major education research associations warn that cutting these studies will negatively impact students, teachers, and schools.
“Without this research, student learning and development will suffer,” said leaders of the American Educational Research Association.
DOGE Defends the Cuts
DOGE justified the spending cuts, saying:
- Some contracts were wasteful, such as a $1.5 million clerical observation contract at a mail center.
- 29 DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) grants totaling $101 million were eliminated.
- The office’s work is redundant, and state-level education departments can collect their own data.
Who’s Fighting Back?
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) condemned the cuts, calling Musk’s decision “a reckless dismantling of critical research.”
- Education advocacy groups warn that eliminating these contracts leaves policymakers “in the dark” on education equity and effectiveness.
- Congress may push back, as much of IES’s funding is mandated by law.
“An unelected billionaire is taking a wrecking ball to education research,” Murray said.
Trump’s Larger Plan: Dismantling the Education Department
- Trump has pledged to abolish the Education Department, transferring power to states and schools.
- The White House is exploring an executive order to dismantle the department as much as possible.
- Congress controls much of the department’s budget, making a full shutdown difficult without legislative approval.
What’s Next?
- Lawmakers may challenge DOGE’s decision, attempting to restore some contracts through congressional action.
- Education experts and advocates will continue pushing for transparency on how funding is allocated.
- Trump’s broader plan to dismantle the Education Department will likely face legal and political resistance.
Final Thoughts
Musk’s DOGE has slashed nearly $900M in education research, a move that could have long-term consequences for U.S. schools, students, and policymakers.
With Congress, advocacy groups, and education researchers pushing back, the battle over the future of education accountability in America is far from over.
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