DOGE cuts $900 million from agency that tracks American students’ academic progress – The Associated Press
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal research agency that tracks the progress of America’s students is being hit with almost $900 million in cuts after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency found no need for much of its work.
It’s unclear to what degree the Education Department’s Institute of Education Sciences will continue to exist after Musk’s team slashed scores of contracts. Industry groups said at least 169 contracts were suddenly terminated Monday, accounting for much of the institute’s work.
Some of the biggest contracts were for long-term studies that track students’ learning from kindergarten through high school, a study evaluating strategies for teaching elementary school reading, and research on the effectiveness of supports for youth with disabilities, according to list of cuts obtained by The Associated Press.
The action will not affect the institute’s primary work, including the NAEP assessment, known as the nation’s report card, and the College Scorecard, a database of university costs and outcomes, Education Department spokesperson Madison Biedermann said.
The cuts raised alarm among advocates who said they could hurt the accountability of America’s education system, leaving the nation in the dark on schools′ effectiveness. Historically, achievement gaps have shown low-income students and students of color falling behind their peers.
The cuts are counterproductive and destructive, said Rachel Dinkes, president and CEO of the Knowledge Alliance, a coalition of education research firms.
“Cutting out at the knees the one independent agency that helps improve student outcomes is ridiculous,” Dinkes said.
Musk’s grip on the Education Department was dealt a setback Tuesday when the agency agreed to temporarily block DOGE workers from more than a dozen internal systems containing sensitive information. DOGE has been tasked with slashing costs across the federal government. As part of a lawsuit challenging its access, the department agreed to block Musk’s team until at least Monday while a judge weighs a broader pause.
The range of contracts cut at IES varies widely, from academic studies to logistical support and contracts to participate in international studies. Several deliver research that was mandated by Congress.
In response to questions, Biedermann referred to a social media post from DOGE that said Musk’s team had terminated 89 contracts worth $881 million, including $1.5 million to a contractor hired to “observe mailing and clerical operations” at a mail center. Another post said 29 grants totaling $101 million for training in diversity, equity and inclusion had been cut.
The Institute of Education Sciences is a central source of information on the health of America’s education system. Across the country, it tracks student progress over time and across demographics. It evaluates the effectiveness of federal programs, and colleges and schools rely on its research to improve student outcomes.
The cuts appear to have been carried out under a clause allowing IES to end contracts at any time “for the government’s convenience,” according to notices obtained by the AP.
Among the projects being cut is a study exploring how to accelerate math learning for students in fourth and fifth grade, according to a document obtained by the AP. Known as ReSolve, the project was being led by research group MDRC.
Last month IES released the latest NAEP results, revealing that America’s children have continued to lose ground on reading skills and made little improvement in math in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Activate Research, a small business, lost four contracts and plans to lay off at least 20 of its 28 workers. The company was hired to ensure accuracy and objectivity in reports. When founder Dinah Sparks announced the company was winding down Tuesday, she had a message for her team: “We are not waste,” she said. “We did valuable work for the U.S. taxpayer.”
Another small business lost multiple contracts after being hired to collect basic information on the nation’s s
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