Education research and funding slashed by Trump administration

Education research carried out by the US Department of Education (DoE) has ground to a halt after 89 research contracts were cut last week, effectively shutting down its independent research arm, The Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

The cuts to education research are expected to impact available data on the American school system and end current trials for education interventions and equity programmes.  

The move was announced on X by the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), helmed by Elon Musk under the Trump administration.  

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Programmes set to go include the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), an organisation that collates and summarises education research; an ongoing study and trial which looks at effective interventions for maths acceleration; and other studies on technical education, international education and overseas education.  

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), colloquially known as “the nation’s report card”, measuring student achievement in core subjects, will be retained.  

Thomas Weko, former commissioner of the National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) said the decision was “shocking” and “pointless,” and undermined the goal of “[putting] our understanding of education on a scientific footing.”  

Trump has said that he would like the DoE to be shut entirely, and said his pick for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, should “put herself out of a job”. 

Education under Trump 

In her confirmation hearing as Secretary of Education last week, Linda McMahon said she would “reorient” the department. McMahon confirmed grants for low-income schools and college students would continue, but said that she was “not quite certain” about African American history classes.  

Trump had previously said he would cut funding for programmes that taught critical race theory (academic frameworks that teach concepts of systemic racism in America) or gender. He had also campaigned against DEI measures.  

Dismantling the DoE would mean uncertainty for federally-funded education programmes aimed at vulnerable students and communities. Programmes overseen by DoE include specialised support like speech and occupational therapy. The DoE also funds programmes like additional teaching supports for core subjects like reading and math, summer learning opportunities, technology grants and professional learning and development.  

During the hearing, McMahon was warned about federal legislation that prevented her from dictating curriculum decisions in schools.  

Following the hearing, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said McMahon’s nomination was part of a wider strategy to privatise education in the US.  

The National Education Association, America’s largest teacher’s union, have urged Senators to reject McMahon’s nomination.

Cost-cutting to education research in the US is likely to have implications for global education research. 

NZCER declined to comment for this story.