The Department of Education has eliminated $101 million in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training grants, signaling a significant shift in federal education spending priorities.
At a Glance
- 29 DEI training grants totaling $101 million terminated by the Education Department
- Additional contracts worth $881 million canceled by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Move aligns with President Trump’s Executive Orders targeting DEI initiatives
- Critics warn of potential negative impacts on educational research and data accuracy
- Supporters praise the cuts as a step against ideological rigidity in federal spending
Sweeping Cuts to DEI Programs and Education Contracts
In a bold move to streamline government spending, the Department of Education has terminated 29 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training grants, amounting to $101 million in cuts. This action is part of a broader cost-reduction strategy implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk under the direction of President Donald Trump.
The cuts extend beyond DEI programs, with the DOGE canceling contracts worth $881 million across various educational initiatives. One of the terminated programs was designed to train teachers to help students “understand and interrogate the complex histories involved in oppression,” according to agency documents.
It’s public information but sure, I will do the work for you. Were used to that out of our liberals.
Here are the specific items DOGE has announced being cut, with additional details:
– 12 consulting contract terminations in GSA and Dept. of Education for ~$30 million: These…
— Jeff Criswell (@JeffCriswell01) February 11, 2025
Trump Administration’s Stance on DEI and Government Efficiency
The decision to cut DEI funding aligns with President Trump’s Executive Orders targeting such initiatives, particularly in federal agencies and the military. Trump assigned Elon Musk, as head of the DOGE, to audit the Pentagon and Education Department to identify what he described as “billions, hundreds of millions of dollars of fraud and abuse.”
“Your tax dollars were spent on this,” Elon Musk said, criticizing the DEI spending on social media.
Supporters of the cuts view this as a positive step towards reducing ideological influence in federal spending. Nicki Neily of Parents Defending Education praised the decision, stating, “DEI was never about ‘equity’ — it was about enforcing ideological conformity and institutionalizing discrimination. Shutting down these wasteful, divisive programs is a win for every student. More states need to follow suit.”
Impact on Educational Research and Data Collection
The cuts have also affected the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), a major funder of education research that provides data on student achievement, school safety, and other critical areas. Felice Levine of the American Educational Research Association warned of potential consequences, saying, “Limiting the important work that NCES does by terminating these contracts will have ramifications for the accuracy of national-level data on the condition and progress of education, from early childhood through postsecondary to adult workforce. Without such research, student learning and development will be harmed.”
“Elon Musk doesn’t care if working class kids in America get a good education, so whittling down the Department of Education means nothing to him. Make no mistake, this is just the first step Donald Trump and Musk are taking to abolish the Department of Education, leaving our public schools with fewer resources and support to pay for massive tax cuts for billionaires and giant corporations,” Senator Patty Murray said.
While some IES programs like the college scorecard tool and the National Assessment of Education Progress were spared, 169 IES contracts were terminated, raising concerns about the future of educational data collection and analysis.
The House Committee of Education and Workforce supported the cuts, arguing, “We should be teaching students to think critically, not brainwashing them to view the entire world in the oppressor-oppressed matrix the Left is obsessed with. These programs should never have existed.”
