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 for low-income students, and enforcing civil rights protections in schools. Advocates and educators have raised concerns about how these reductions may weaken critical support systems for vulnerable student populations. The move comes as the agency continues to operate with a reduced budget and workforce following broader federal hiring freezes.
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.
