Federal education officials have announced significant staffing reductions, with nearly one-fifth of the agency’s remaining workforce impacted. The cuts primarily affect teams responsible for overseeing special education programs, distributing funding to low-income students, and enforcing civil rights protections in schools. Advocates and educators warn the changes could weaken critical support systems for vulnerable student populations. The move raises concerns about the agency’s ability to uphold key educational equity initiatives amid ongoing budget constraints.
About a fifth of the agency’s remaining staff was affected, including employees working on special education, funding for low-income students and civil rights enforcement. By Sarah Mervosh Michael C.
