The Department of Education is poised for a major workforce reduction, with layoffs affecting nearly half of its employees.
Fox News reported that this drastic move is part of a plan to shutter the department, fulfilling President Donald Trump's vision of decentralizing education to state control.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the impending layoffs, which are set to begin with "reduction in force" notices distributed on a Tuesday.
This decision aligns with Trump's long-standing campaign promise to dismantle the federal department in favor of state governance in education.
All staff within the Department of Education were informed through a memo about the office closures starting from Tuesday evening until Wednesday, for "security reasons." They were instructed to evacuate the premises by 6 p.m. ET on that same Tuesday.
The workforce reduction aims not only to cut costs but also to enhance efficiency within the educational framework. By directing resources directly to students, parents, and teachers, McMahon believes the restructuring will benefit the overall educational landscape.
McMahon stated, "Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education's commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers." This marks a significant shift towards what the Trump administration considers a more localized and effective educational system.
In the broader context, almost every division within the Department of Education will need to undergo significant reorganization. This downsizing translates to a dramatic reduction from 4,133 employees at the start of Trump’s term to approximately 2,183.
The change won't just see layoffs; about 259 of the Department's employees opted into a deferred resignation program while another 313 accepted buyouts. These measures are intended to ease the transition for affected employees and mitigate immediate impacts.
Starting March 21, the remaining workforce impacted by the layoffs will be placed on administrative leave. They will continue to receive their full pay and benefits through June 9, supplemented by substantial severance pay or retirement benefits based on each employee's length of service.
These benefits are aimed at supporting employees through the transition, reflecting an effort to manage the layoffs as smoothly and humanely as possible. McMahon emphasized the importance of executing this reduction quickly and responsibly, respecting the mandate given by the American people and President Trump.
According to reports, President Trump is also preparing to sign an executive order to formally begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education.
A draft of this order, as per The Wall Street Journal, criticizes the federal hold over American education as "a failed experiment."
The draft order states, "The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support—has failed our children, our teachers, and our families." This statement reflects a decisive break from previous federal education policies.
President Trump expressed his views, stating, "I want to close up the Department of Education, move education back to the states. Of the 50 [states], I bet that 35 would do great. And 15 of them, or, you know, 20 of them, will be as good as Norway. Norway is considered great."
This sweeping change represents one of the most significant federal reductions in recent history. As McMahon takes steps to implement these changes, the overall education landscape in the United States is set to go through a transformation, prioritizing local control and efficiency over federal oversight.