WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal research institutes tracking the progress of American students has since been hit by a cut of nearly $900 million Elon Musk The government's efficiency department has found that it doesn't require much of its work.
It is unclear how well the Ministry of Education's Institute of Education Sciences will be after Musk's team has significantly reduced contract scores. The industry group said at least 169 contracts ended abruptly on Monday, accounting for much of the lab's job.
Some of the biggest contracts were long-term studies tracking students' K-12 learning, studies assessing strategies for teaching elementary school reading, and studies on the effectiveness of support for young people with disabilities. . By the Associated Press.
Actions do not affect the lab's main work. NAEP evaluationknown as the national report card College scorecardsa database of university costs and results, Education Department spokesman Madison Biederman said.
Cut has sparked vigilance among supporters who said it could undermine the accountability of the American education system, leaving the country in the dark with the effectiveness of the school. Historically, Achievement gap It shows low-income students and students of color falling behind their peers.
Rachel Dinks, president and CEO of Knowledge Alliance, a coalition of education research companies, said the cut was counterproductive and disruptive.
“One independent institution that helps cut your knees and improve student outcomes is ridiculous,” Dinks said.
The mask grips against the education sector were addressed on Tuesday when the agency agreed to temporarily block DOGE workers from more than 12 internal systems containing sensitive information. Doge has been appointed Reduction cost The whole federal government. As part of a lawsuit challenging that access, the department agreed to block the mask team until at least Monday, with judges blocking the weight of the wider suspension.
The scope of contracts reduced in IES varies widely, from academic research to logistics support and contracts to participation in international research. It offers some research mandated by Congress.
In response to the question, Biederman referenced a Social Media Posts From Doge, where Musk's team said it has ended a $89 contract worth $89 million, including $1.5 million, to a contractor hired for “observing mail and administrative operations” at the postal center. According to another post, 29 grants have been cut, totaling $101 million for diversity, equity and inclusion training.
The Institute of Educational Sciences is a central source of information on the health of the American education system. Nationwide, it tracks student progress across time and demographics. Evaluating the effectiveness of federal programs, universities and schools rely on their research to improve student outcomes.
According to the notification obtained by the AP, the reduction appears to have been made under the clause.
Among the projects being cut is research exploring ways to accelerate mathematics learning for fourth and fifth grade students, according to a document obtained by the AP. The project, known as Resolve, was led by the research group MDRC.
Last month, IEES released the latest NAEP results, revealing what American children have I kept losing the ground Regarding reading skills, I have hardly improved my maths in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It plans to stimulate research, a small business, lose four contracts and fire at least 20 of its 28 workers. The company was hired to ensure accuracy and objectivity in its reports. When founder Dinah Sparks announced Tuesday that the company was closing, she told the team “we're not in vain,” she told the team. “We did valuable work for US taxpayers.”
Another small business lost multiple contracts after being hired to collect basic information about the country's schools. The company began firing workers this week, according to an employee who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Congress awarded about $800 million last year, about 1% of the education sector's annual budget.
Many of the IES jobs are mandated by Congress and rely on contracts to support limited staff, two prominent research associations have jointly called for the contract to be restored. The group said 169 contracts were cut and curtailed the institute's ability to report data on school finances and student outcomes.
According to leaders of the American Education Research Association and the leader of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, “Without such research, students' learning and development will be harmed.”
The Institute oversees a wide range of tasks, including administering the NAEP exam and participating in the US. Pisaan evaluation that compares academic progress between nations. It is also a leading funder of educational research and maintains a database of research that has shown results on improving education.
IES shed light on inequality and its work is “more than just numbers and statistics,” says Education Trust, a nonprofit research and advocacy group. “Without that, we would be left in the dark and we would not be able to see where the educational gaps exist or how we would close them,” the group said in a statement.
Former IES Commissioner Mark Schneider, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018, said the cuts are giving the new administration an opportunity to rethink a program that has not changed in decades. However, so far it is unclear whether or how the contract will be exchanged.
“The problem isn't what happened on Monday, it's what happens next,” Schneider said. “Just swing this sledge hammer and break all this and it's okay, I did it, then we've wasted the opportunity to fix things.”
Democrats Patty Murraya former teacher and member of the committee on health, education, labor and pensions, said she would “speeify the alarm” to fight cuts.
“Unelected billionaires are currently bulldozing the Department of Education's research department. We need to take beer for high quality research and basic data and improve public schools,” said Senator Washington. said in a statement. “Reducing these investments after the contract has already been inked is the definition of waste.”
Trump has pledged to abolish the education sector and hand over its power to states and schools. The White House is considering an order that directs Trump's education director to dismantle agencies whenever possible, calling on Congress to close completely.
It is unclear how much Trump will be able to act on his own to reduce sector spending. Many of them are ordered by the Congress.
___
Associated Press Education Compensation receives financial support from several private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. search AP Standards For charity work, list of ap.org supporters and funded compensation areas.
