By Jonaki Mehta and Cory Turner: Flags flutter outside the U.S. Education Department in Washington, D.C. As significant snowfall looms over the D.C. area, the conversation shifts to how closures impact the academic schedule. Recent reports have revealed a looming threat to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which is set to face drastic cuts that could impact vital educational research and services. Employees disclosed to NPR that many contracts have been terminated, raising concerns about the future of education in DC public schools. This change comes on the heels of legislation and potential changes in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, aiming to streamline educational services by cutting funds for programs critical to understanding student achievement. While local branches of education and educators rely on this data for effective teaching practices, the cuts threaten to limit access to important educational assessments like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and disrupt how schools support students in recovering academically lost ground, particularly in math. As Washington D.C. grapples with school closures due to winter weather, the ramifications of these educational budget cuts loom large over the future of teaching and learning in the city, prompting urgent questions about student success and policy accountability in DC public schools.
