WASHINGTON—The Trump administration announced it will enact a reduction in force (RIF) at the Department of Education. The reductions will affect every part of the department and help streamline the agency.  
 
Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, and Jonathan Butcher, a senior research fellow, made the following statement: 

“Reductions such as this are a great start and are long overdue. The Department of Education has failed to fulfill its objectives. Instead, it’s an easy way for special interest groups to benefit from federal taxpayer spending meant for students through the hiring of non-instructional staff and the propping up of ineffective programs. 

“This RIF impacts nearly 50 percent of the agency’s workforce. Such a change is consistent with the administration’s efforts to make government work for taxpayers and is a victory for parents, students, and local schools. 

“Reducing the bloated bureaucracy will give state and local education officials more decision-making authority. Federal officials say the reductions will not interfere with the distribution of federal student aid or K-12 spending for children in low-income areas or students with special needs. 

“Ultimately, Americans will see that the Department of Education is not necessary for students to succeed, and the entire agency should be eliminated.”  

For more information, see Correcting Carter’s Mistake, available here.