The U.S. Education Department has announced plans to reduce its workforce by nearly 50%, with approximately 1,300 employees receiving termination notices. This move, described by Education Secretary Linda McMahon as a commitment to efficiency and accountability, reflects the Trump administration’s broader goal of dismantling the department. The layoffs will impact all divisions, including regional offices in major cities like San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. Employees affected will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21.
The department, one of the smallest Cabinet-level agencies, has faced long-standing conservative efforts to either abolish it or transfer its responsibilities to other federal departments and state governments. Proposals include moving federal student loan programs to the Treasury Department and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department. Critics argue that state legislatures are unprepared to handle such a significant shift in responsibilities.
While the department has pledged to continue delivering on its statutory programs, the announcement raises questions about the future of federal education oversight and funding. The layoffs come amid discussions of converting federal K-12 funding into block grants, which would reduce federal oversight and give states more control.