The Impact of Staff Reductions on the U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education has undergone significant changes, with hundreds of civil servants leaving their positions in recent months. Many of these employees have not been able to work since March, when they were placed on leave and later laid off. These workers performed a wide range of essential roles, from protecting students' civil rights to assisting borrowers with complex federal student loan systems.
Approximately 1,400 department workers are being let go as part of a broad reduction in force (RIF) that began on March 11. This decision came shortly after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Education Department, claiming that education should be returned to the states. He also stated that many department employees "don't work at all" and that the goal was to cut those who aren't working or aren't performing well.
Linda McMahon, the Education Secretary at the time, described the mass firing as a step toward restoring the greatness of the U.S. education system. In total, including those who chose to leave voluntarily, the department will now employ roughly half the staff it had when Trump took office. However, the department did not respond to multiple requests for confirmation on the exact number of employees leaving and remaining.
Several former employees shared their experiences with NPR, highlighting the importance of their work and the impact of the layoffs.
David Downey: A Career in Grants Management
David Downey, who worked in the Office of Grants Management for 30 years, explained that the department sends billions of dollars to states to support public education. His role was to help state and local officials understand how to apply for this funding and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used properly.
Downey served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, including eight years under President George W. Bush, where he helped faith-based groups navigate the funding process. He was asked to review department policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which the Trump administration deemed illegal. Downey disagreed with efforts to roll back civil rights protections for students of color and children with disabilities, calling it an affront to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
He described the RIF as unprofessional and frustrating, noting that colleagues were unable to communicate about upcoming meetings. He believes the cuts create a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing the belief that government is inefficient and failing students and educators.
Jason Cottrell: Data Collection and Analysis
Jason Cottrell, who worked in the Office of Postsecondary Education for 9.5 years, emphasized the importance of data collection and analysis in ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. He argued that cutting staff would harm these efforts, making it difficult to track whether programs are helping children.
Cottrell is a member of AFGE Local 252, a union of Education Department employees. He described the atmosphere leading up to the RIF as tense, with many feeling traumatized by the uncertainty. Despite this, congressional Republicans recently passed a massive tax and spending bill that includes new work for the Education Department, such as a system to punish colleges whose degrees don’t benefit students.
Cottrell worries that the department won’t be able to handle this new workload with its reduced staff. He emphasized the importance of his work in ensuring high-quality data collection and said that without the right staff, the new law may not be implemented effectively.
Emily Merolli: Legal Protections for Students with Disabilities
Emily Merolli, who worked in the Office of the General Counsel for 12 years, was responsible for developing education-related legislation, including amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She highlighted the importance of the department’s role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education.
After being laid off in March, Merolli expressed concern that the lack of enforcement capabilities would leave students vulnerable. She criticized the administration's argument that cutting the department would empower states, arguing that the department ensures baseline educational standards are met regardless of location or financial situation.
Sheria Smith and Brittany Coleman: Civil Rights Enforcement
Sheria Smith and Brittany Coleman, who worked in the Office for Civil Rights, were responsible for investigating complaints of unfair treatment based on race, sex, or disability. They emphasized the importance of their work in helping families and students who may not have access to legal representation.
Smith, who is also president of AFGE Local 252, noted that the remaining staff now face overwhelming caseloads, making it difficult to address complaints effectively. She criticized the administration's shift in priorities, which included targeting schools with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or allowing students to use facilities based on gender identity.
Rachel Gittleman: Student Loan Assistance
Rachel Gittleman, who worked in the Student Loan Ombudsman's Office since 2023, helped borrowers navigate serious loan problems. She described her job as one of the most meaningful aspects of her life, providing assistance to veterans, borrowers in bankruptcy, and those in default.
After the March layoff, she lost access to external email and was unable to transition open cases. She expressed doubt that a significantly reduced student aid office could handle the scale of change outlined in the new legislation, emphasizing that the department’s “plumbing” had been removed.
Despite the challenges, many of these employees remain committed to public service, believing in the importance of their work and the impact it has on students and families across the country.