This article originally appeared in the opinion section of The Wall Street Journal.

DOGE Wreaks Havoc on Education Research

“Federal Cutbacks Upend Education Researchers” (U.S. News, Aug. 22) explains the damage caused to researchers by the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences. Equally devastating are the effects these cuts will have on students, policymakers and others who depend on federally collected and supported data and research.

For decades, a strong partnership between the federal government, universities and philanthropic groups fostered a robust ecosystem in which education research could thrive and be applied. The hollowing out of this infrastructure undermines critical work—from ensuring school accountability to fostering innovation—and leaves educators and decision-makers without the evidence they need.

These actions come at a point of crisis in K-12 education, still reeling from the pandemic’s effect on student learning, and as the administration is requiring more data reporting from universities on admissions. Yet most of IES employees have been cut, and only a skeleton staff is left at the National Center for Education Statistics. This has severely undercut the capabilities of the Education Department and slowed research nationwide. At a time when institutions and policymakers most need sound evidence to guide decisions and resource use, undermining our infrastructure is deeply troubling.

Tabbye Chavous
American Educational Research Assoc.
Washington