Chloe Kienzle of Arlington, Va., protests outside the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. on the day following significant job cuts announced by the agency.
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Reactions to the massive job cuts at the U.S. Department of Education have surfaced rapidly, with teachers’ unions and various parent groups denouncing the layoffs while proponents of school choice praised the actions.
The affected department employees play critical roles in distributing federal funds to underserved districts and supporting students with disabilities. Their positions are now being reduced by nearly 50%.
On Tuesday, the department announced the termination of over 1,300 positions, with approximately 600 employees already having accepted voluntary resignations or retirements. Soon after, affected workers began receiving notifications about their impending job losses.
National education organizations, including teacher unions and parent groups, voiced their opposition to the cuts.
Randi Weingarten, president of a major teacher union, criticized the layoffs as “an attack on opportunity,” suggesting they would disrupt federal education programs nationwide.
In her statement, Weingarten emphasized that 10 million students relying on financial aid would be left in uncertain situations, with many states struggling to navigate fiscal challenges without federal support, adversely impacting students with disabilities and those living in poverty.
The National Parents Union, representing over 1,800 parent organizations, stated that “parents will not stand by and watch our children’s future be dismantled. We are ready to fight back.”
Supporters of school choice claim cuts will lead to an educational renaissance
Education Secretary has indicated a desire to expand federal support for school choice. Advocacy groups backing charter schools and educational vouchers welcomed this initiative as a progressive step.
In a statement, the American Federation for Children expressed that these actions signal an end to bureaucratic dominance in education, paving the way for greater parental choice and state governance over educational systems.
President Trump addressed the cuts, asserting, “The vision is to transfer education responsibilities from Washington bureaucrats to the states, allowing them to effectively manage education.”
Most public school funding relies heavily on state and local governments, while federal contributions generally account for a mere 6-13% of total funding, according to a 2018 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The Center for Education Reform supports these job reductions, claiming it allows remaining federal funds to be allocated according to student needs, irrespective of school type.
Democratic lawmakers are primarily against school choice initiatives, claiming they divert resources from public schools. Although Trump campaigned on expanding choice, Republican perspectives on educational policy remain divided.
During confirmation discussions, concerns arose from some Republicans regarding the viability of school choice in rural areas where options may be limited.
