On February 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has approximately $881 million in multiyear research contracts, which are expected to affect data accuracy and the implementation of evidence-based practices. The contracts terminated by the Education Department’s Institute of Educational Sciences include 29 related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI),  totaling $101 million. 

The USDE reports that it “removed or archived” hundreds of DEI-related outward-facing documents (i.e., guidance, reports, and training materials) to comply with a presidential executive order to end federal DEI activities. The USDE has also put employees charged with leading DEI efforts on paid leave.

The announce cuts are expected to prevent the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) from reporting data on school, college and university finances and to facilitate a loss of future survey data to understand the extent of teacher shortages and chronic absenteeism in schools.

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