Over $800 million in cuts made from the Department of Education

The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, is cutting nearly $900 million from a federal research organization that measures student growth.

After Musk's team cut scores of contracts, the Education Department's Institute of Education Sciences' future is questionable, as newsweek reported.

Industry groups reported that at least 169 contracts, which comprised most of the institute's activities, were abruptly terminated Monday

According to The Associated Press's list of cuts, the largest contracts were for long-term studies that track students from kindergarten to high school, a study on elementary school reading strategies, and research on disability supports.

Application of Cuts

Madison Biedermann, spokesperson for the Education Department, stated that the institute's primary work, which includes the NAEP assessment, which is referred to as the nation's report card, and the College Scorecard, a database of university costs and outcomes, will not be impacted by the proposed action.

The cuts sparked concern among advocates who feared that they could undermine the accountability of the American education system, thereby obscuring the efficacy of schools for the nation.

Typically, achievement gaps have demonstrated that low-income students and students of color are lagging behind their counterparts.

Rachel Dinkes, president and CEO of the Knowledge Alliance, a coalition of education research firms, characterized the cuts as counterproductive and detrimental.

Possible Outcomes

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

Tuesday, the Education Department agreed to temporarily prohibit DOGE staff from accessing more than a dozen internal systems storing critical information, threatening Musk's control.

DOGE is responsible for reducing federal government spending. In a dispute over its access, the department agreed to block Musk's team until Monday while a court decides on a longer suspension.

IES cuts contracts for academic research, logistical support, and overseas studies. Several provide congressionally mandated research.