The U.S. Department of Education has initiated a significant reduction in its workforce, affecting nearly half of its employees. The reduction in force (RIF) will place affected staff on administrative leave starting Friday, March 21.
"Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers," said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. She acknowledged the contributions of the department's staff and described the move as "a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system."
Despite this workforce cutback, the Department will continue executing all statutory programs under its jurisdiction. These include formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking. All divisions within the Department are impacted by this change; some will undergo major reorganization to improve service delivery to stakeholders.
When President Trump took office, there were 4,133 employees at the Department. Following today's actions, approximately 2,183 workers will remain employed. Among those included in this reduction are nearly 600 employees who opted for voluntary resignation or retirement over recent weeks:
- 259 employees participated in the Deferred Resignation Program
- 313 employees accepted Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments
The remaining affected employees will be placed on administrative leave beginning March 21. According to regulatory requirements and collective bargaining agreements, these individuals will receive full pay and benefits until June 9th along with severance or retirement benefits based on their service length.
