The US Department of Education has issued layoff notices to 465 employees across six of its seventeen primary offices, creating an alarming threat to the continued operation of over 40 federal education grant programs, which collectively disburse more than $50 billion annually. These critical programs, including major initiatives like Title I for low-income students, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and TRIO, rely heavily on the administrative staff now facing termination. While a federal court has temporarily halted these drastic layoffs, the Trump administration remains intent on pursuing these cuts. Without the necessary personnel to manage these grants—from fund distribution to compliance monitoring—these vital programs could effectively cease to function, even if Congress continues to allocate their funding.
These significant staff reductions, part of a larger reduction-in-force initiated during the recent government shutdown, directly impact departments vital for managing and monitoring over $50 billion in annual education grants. Key areas affected include programs like Title I, which supports low-income students, and grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While a federal judge has temporarily blocked the layoffs, set to take effect on December 9, the Trump administration reportedly intends to push forward with these cuts, according to EducationWeek.
Layoffs Severely Impact Key Education Offices
Court documents filed on October 17 by Jacqueline Clay, the Education Department’s chief human resources officer, confirm that layoff notices have been issued to almost all staff members in several grant-focused offices. Notably, 121 employees from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and 64 from the Office of Postsecondary Education are among those affected.
Despite these critical staff losses, Education Secretary Linda McMahon asserted on October 15 that future funding would remain unaffected, controversially labeling the department as “unnecessary.” This stance, reported by EducationWeek, clashes sharply with warnings from current and former staff, as well as lawmakers and education advocates, who contend that without dedicated personnel, the essential functions of grant management—including fund distribution, query resolution, and compliance oversight—will grind to a halt, effectively incapacitating these programs.
Programs Facing Collapse Due to Staff Reductions
The targeted offices are responsible for over 40 grant programs, collectively valued at more than $50 billion annually. These vital programs include:
Office of Discretionary Grants and Support Services
- Charter Schools Program (CSP)
- American History and Civics
- Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED)
- Teacher Quality Partnership
- Teacher and School Leader Incentive
Office of Innovation and Early Learning Programs
- Education Innovation and Research
- Preschool Development Grants
- Ready to Learn
School and Community Improvement Programs
- Fostering Diverse Schools
- Full-Service Community Schools
- Magnet Schools Assistance Program
- Promise Neighborhoods
- Statewide Family Engagement Centers
Well-Rounded Education Programs
- Arts Education Assistance Program
- Comprehensive Literacy State Development
- Innovative Approaches to Literacy
- Javits Gifted and Talented
Office of Formula Grants
- Office of Impact Aid
- Impact Aid
Program and Grantee Support Services
- Comprehensive Centers
- Equity Assistance Centers
Office of Rural, Insular and Native Achievement Programs
- Alaska Native Education Program
- Native Hawaiian Education Program
- Rural Education Achievement Programs
Office of Safe, Supportive Schools
- School-Based Mental Health Services and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Programs
- Project SERV
- Title IV, Part A
School Support and Accountability
- Title I, Part A
- Title II, Part A
- Title IV, Part B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Office of Migrant Education
- Title I, Part C: Migrant Education
- High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
Office of Indian Education
- Indian Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
- IDEA, Part B
- IDEA, Part C
- IDEA, Part D
Rehabilitation Services Administration
- Office of Postsecondary Education
- Child Care Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
- Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
- TRIO
- Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Division (Title III, Parts B, E, and F)
- Strengthening Institutions Division (Title III, Parts A and F)
- Hispanic-Serving Institutions Division (Title V and Title III, Part F)
- Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
- Institutional Programs Development Division
Congress Potentially Bypassed by Staff Cuts
Even as Congress consistently funds these programs, the proposed Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget seeks to consolidate several into a “K-12 Simplified Funding Program” with a significantly reduced overall value, as reported by EducationWeek. Some existing grants have already been unilaterally terminated by the current administration.
While federal law generally prevents the outright elimination of many of these programs through budgetary measures alone, these strategic staffing cuts could serve as an indirect pathway to their demise. Without essential personnel to oversee daily operations, disburse allocated funds, and ensure compliance, these grants could effectively remain stagnant and unmonitored, regardless of congressional appropriations. Most of the affected offices have been integral components of the Department of Education since its establishment in 1980, under the foundational 1979 law.