The battle over federal education funding has reached a boiling point as Democratic lawmakers press the Department of Justice (DOJ) for answers regarding nearly $900 million in recently terminated contracts tied to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). These cuts—including $350 million slashed from federal equity-assistance centers and regional education laboratories—have sparked outrage among legislators, who are demanding transparency and accountability from the GOP-led administration. The central question remains: Will the Republican Party reconsider these sweeping reductions and restore critical funding, or will they continue down a path that critics argue undermines the nation’s educational progress?
The fight for transparency
A coalition of 86 Democratic lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives has sent a formal letter demanding clarity on the rationale behind these abrupt cancellations. Their concerns go beyond the immediate financial implications, focusing on the broader impact on students, teachers, and educational institutions. They have submitted a list of 27 questions seeking details on which contracts were terminated, the criteria used for these decisions, and the expected consequences of the funding cuts.
One of the most contentious points in the debate is the lack of communication from the Education Department. Despite promises of transparency, officials have yet to provide a comprehensive list of affected research contracts. Additionally, discrepancies in reported figures between the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—led by billionaire Elon Musk—and the Education Department have raised concerns about the true scale of these terminations. Sources familiar with the matter suggest the actual number of canceled contracts may be significantly higher than disclosed.
Letter components: A call for accountability
Democratic lawmakers outlined several critical concerns in their letter, demanding explanations for the following terminations:
- Cancelling evaluations of federal programs: The National Center for Education Evaluation (NCEE) plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. The cancellation of ongoing evaluations will hinder valuable insights into programs addressing teacher shortages, literacy instruction, school-based mental health services, English learner outcomes, and transition support for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, evaluations for the DC Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) program and state flexibility under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) have been halted.
- Terminating RELs contracts and EACs grants:
Regional Education Laboratories (RELs) and Equity Assistance Centers (EACs) had their funding slashed mid-project, depriving local communities of vital resources. The letter emphasizes that these initiatives are designed to help schools implement equity-driven reforms and evidence-based strategies tailored to local educational challenges. Despite the administration’s claims that new contracts will be established, no clarity has been provided regarding the EACs, raising concerns that equity is being deprioritized in federal education policy.
- Cancelling national statistics studies: Critical data collection efforts led by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) were abruptly discontinued. The letter highlights the termination of key studies, including the
National Postsecondary Student Aid Study , the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, theSchool Survey on Crime and Safety , and the National Teacher andPrincipal Survey . These cuts will significantly hinder the ability to track long-term educational trends and inform policymaking.
- Undermining the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): The administration’s decision to cut contracts supporting NAEP’s data analysis and public dissemination efforts raises alarms about the reliability of future assessments. The letter also points to the elimination of funding for EdFacts and the Common Core of Data (CCD), the nation’s most comprehensive statistical database of public schools, which is essential for producing nationally representative education metrics.
- Pulling the US from international assessments: The administration’s decision to withdraw from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) effectively removes the US from a critical benchmarking tool that compares American student performance with that of other nations.
- Defunding rural education research: The cancellation of contracts that analyze school geographic classifications, geocodes, and district boundaries will impede efforts to identify rural school districts eligible for funding under the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) and Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) programs.
- Eliminating peer-review panels for grant funding: The letter questions how the Department will fulfill its obligations under the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA) after dissolving peer-review panels that evaluate grant applications. With $309 million allocated to IES for research in literacy, special education, and other critical areas, lawmakers warn that these cancellations risk compromising the integrity of federally funded education research.
A political power play?
Many of the cuts align with President Donald Trump’s executive order to eliminate all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting approach has impacted teacher-training grants, staffing at the Education Department, and other federal agencies. While the administration justifies these moves as necessary for efficiency, critics argue they disproportionately target programs supporting disadvantaged students and ensuring equal educational opportunities.
Among the affected programs are those evaluating teacher shortages, career and technical education, literacy instruction, student mental health, English learner outcomes, and federally mandated support for students with disabilities. Other cuts have impacted federal data systems tracking student aid, school safety, postsecondary outcomes, and the long-term impact of early education initiatives. Notably, funding reductions for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) have raised concerns about the future of data-driven policymaking.
The stakes for American education
The consequences of these funding reductions could be far-reaching. The termination of contracts related to research on teacher shortages and literacy instruction may hinder efforts to address critical gaps in the education system. Additionally, cuts to federally funded research on student mental health and English learner outcomes could disproportionately impact vulnerable student populations.
The administration’s decision to defund peer-review panels responsible for evaluating research grant applications further exacerbates concerns about the future of evidence-based policymaking. Without rigorous review and assessment mechanisms, the integrity of federally funded education initiatives may be compromised, potentially leading to ineffective or wasteful spending in the long run.
Will the GOP reverse course?
With mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers, the GOP faces a pivotal decision. Will they acknowledge the concerns raised by education experts and policymakers, or will they stand firm on their budget-cutting agenda? The lack of a clear response from the DOJ and the Education Department suggests that, for now, Republican leadership is reluctant to reconsider its stance.
Some within the GOP may argue that these cuts are necessary to rein in government spending, but critics warn that sacrificing education funding in the name of fiscal responsibility could have dire consequences. The long-term success of American students—and, by extension, the nation’s economic and social stability—hinges on a well-supported education system.
As the debate unfolds, pressure on Republicans to either defend or reverse these cuts will only intensify. The coming months will determine whether the GOP is willing to turn over a new leaf and reinvest in the nation’s education system or continue ignoring the concerns raised by lawmakers, educators, and families across the country.
