DOGE cuts $900 million from agency that tracks American students’ academic progress

Elon Musk's team slashes $900 million in contracts at Education Department's research agency, raising concerns about student outcomes.

A federal research agency that tracks the progress of America’s students is being hit with almost $900 million in cuts after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency found no need for much of its work.

It’s unclear to what degree the Education Department’s Institute of Education Sciences will continue to exist after Mr. Musk’s team slashed scores of contracts. Industry groups said at least 169 contracts were suddenly terminated Monday, accounting for much of the institute's work.

Some of the biggest contracts were for long-term studies that track students’ learning from kindergarten through high school, a study evaluating strategies for teaching elementary school reading, and research on the effectiveness of supports for youth with disabilities, according to list of cuts obtained by The Associated Press.

The action will not affect the institute’s primary work, including the NAEP assessment, known as the nation’s report card, and the College Scorecard, a database of university costs and outcomes, Education Department spokesperson Madison Biedermann said.

The cuts raised alarm among advocates who said they could hurt the accountability of America’s education system, leaving the nation in the dark on schools′ effectiveness. Historically, achievement gaps have shown low-income students and students of color falling behind their peers.

The cuts are counterproductive and destructive, said Rachel Dinkes, president and CEO of the Knowledge Alliance, a coalition of education research firms.

“Cutting out at the knees the one independent agency that helps improve student outcomes is ridiculous,” Dinkes said.