Federal education officials have announced layoffs affecting a significant portion of staff, including teams responsible for overseeing special education programs, financial support for disadvantaged students, and civil rights enforcement. The reductions target key divisions that ensure compliance with educational equity and student protections, raising concerns about potential gaps in oversight. With budget constraints and restructuring efforts underway, the agency faces scrutiny over how these cuts may impact vulnerable student populations. Details on the scope and long-term effects remain under review.
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.
