Education Department announces massive layoffs, slashing nearly half its workforce

The agency’s employee count will plummet from 4,133 when President Donald Trump was inaugurated to about 2,183.

By Naaz Modan • Updated March 11, 2025

Harvard among latest universities to freeze hiring amid federal funding uncertainty

The Ivy League institution’s officials emphasized that the move was temporary and meant to “preserve our financial flexibility.”

By Ben Unglesbee • March 11, 2025

Education Department warns 60 colleges it could take action over antisemitism concerns

The letters escalate the Trump administration’s scrutiny of how colleges are handling student protests over the Israel-Hamas war. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 10, 2025

Trump’s Education Department changes could lead to systemic ‘chaos’

Cuts to contracts, staff and civil rights probes might backfire, leading to less oversight and more mismanagement, education experts warn.

By Naaz Modan • March 10, 2025

ABA faces DOJ wrath over law school diversity requirements

"Any requirement that law schools demonstrate 'a commitment to diversity' is deeply problematic," said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 10, 2025

DOL files fresh appeal of a Texas decision vacating its new overtime rule

It’s now the second such filing by the agency with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

By Ryan Golden • March 7, 2025

Trump administration cancels $400M of Columbia’s grants and contracts amid antisemitism probe

The cancellation comes only four days after the probe into the Ivy League institution was announced. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated March 7, 2025

‘Stay of execution’: Where’s Trump’s order to shut down Education Department?

While an executive order didn't come down as expected Thursday, the education community is bracing for more cuts to key department resources.

By Naaz Modan • March 6, 2025

‘Perplexing and distressing’: Johns Hopkins warns of budget cuts amid Trump-era funding chaos

The institution is grappling with the “unexpected stoppage” of $800 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2025

NEA, ACLU challenge Education Department’s DEI letter

Despite the department's attempt to clarify the original directive, education and civil rights organizations are pushing forward with their lawsuits.

By Naaz Modan • March 5, 2025

Education Department sued over cuts to teacher training grants

Three teacher preparation groups allege that the agency’s recent termination of three federal grant programs approved by Congress is unlawful.

By Anna Merod • Updated March 19, 2025

Trump administration launches review of Columbia University’s grants and contracts

The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is probing the institution’s funding over allegations it hasn’t protected Jewish students from harassment. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 4, 2025

McMahon confirmed as education secretary

Linda McMahon says she will end federal bureaucracy at the U.S. Department of Education but did not commit to closing the agency.

By Kara Arundel • March 3, 2025

Education Department Q&A clarifies DEI restrictions

The agency's new document appeared to ease some of the strictest aspects of its February letter taking aim at colleges' diversity initiatives.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 3, 2025

Arizona bill to cut off state funding over college DEI courses gains traction

If signed into law, faculty at the state's public colleges would not be able to teach about subjects like antiracism and unconscious bias.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 28, 2025

A surge of DEI cuts hits colleges across the US

Some colleges, like Ohio State University, are reversing their stances on diversity efforts as federal and state policymakers ratchet up the pressure.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 27, 2025

‘Inaccurate and misleading’: Democrat AGs push back against Trump’s DEI executive order

Sixteen AGs issued guidance for private employers regarding a recent executive order targeting diversity efforts at colleges and other organizations. 

By Caroline Colvin • Feb. 27, 2025

Liberty University must face former trans worker’s discrimination claim, judge rules

"Religious institutions cannot discriminate on the basis of sex, even if motivated by religion," the judge wrote.

By Emilie Shumway • Feb. 26, 2025

AFT sues Education Department over anti-DEI guidance

The union alleged that the agency's recent guidance barring colleges from considering race in any of their programs and policies is unconstitutional.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 26, 2025

DeSantis moves to create Florida’s own DOGE to target college spending

The governor also suggested the department would eliminate what he called “ideological” curriculum and programming.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 25, 2025

DOGE blocked from accessing Education Department’s sensitive student data until March 10

A judge said the Trump administration failed to explain why the Department of Government Efficiency needed “sweeping access” to the agency’s records. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 24, 2025

Trump’s anti-DEI orders for colleges and others paused in part

The ruling said plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their arguments that the directives undermined free speech and were unconstitutionally vague. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 24, 2025

NIH cuts remain on hold as judge extends temporary pause

Some colleges have already frozen hiring after the National Institutes of Health unveiled a policy to cap billions of dollars in funding for indirect research costs.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 21, 2025

Another reprieve for gainful employment, financial value transparency reporting deadline

The U.S. Department of Education is giving institutions until Sept. 30 to send in data and correct information they’ve already submitted. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 21, 2025

NLRB rescinds stack of Biden-era enforcement memos

The affected documents include a 2021 memo stating that certain NCAA college athletes should be considered employees.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 20, 2025