Drastic Workforce Cuts at the Department of Education

The workforce of the Department of Education has undergone significant reduction, with over 1,300 employees terminated recently and more than 600 accepting separation packages. This drastic downsizing leaves the department at approximately half its original size, impacting its ability to enforce civil rights laws in schools and manage student loans and grants. This wave of layoffs coincides with President Trump's proposed plans to dismantle the department entirely, which he argues is plagued by waste. The implications of these cuts raise concerns about the department's effectiveness in areas critical to ensuring equitable education.