Thanks to Musk’s team, the US Department of Education’s expenses have been reduced by more than $900 million
Billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce government spending in the US have resulted in more than $900 million in cuts to the Department of Education’s budget. These measures are aimed at limiting the work of the Ministry’s research unit – the Institute of Pedagogical Sciences. About this informs The New York Times.
Elon Musk’s team at the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) announced the termination of 89 contracts and 29 grants from the Department of Education related to diversity and equity training.
Most of the cuts hit the Institute of Educational Sciences, including grants for educational innovation and research, as well as projects related to the What Works Clearinghouse, a think tank that studies best practices in education.
Less than two weeks after the release of new federal test results that show reading rates are at historic lows, the cuts could complicate research into problems in American education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including truancy and behavioral changes among students. The decision has raised concerns among academics and lawmakers, who see DOGE-collected data as a valuable resource for educators working to improve teaching methods.
It will be recalled that Musk headed the Department of Government Efficiency with the aim of reducing public spending in the administration of Donald Trump. His status as a special civil servant means he is not a volunteer or full-time federal employee, receives no salary, but has a top-secret clearance for state secrets.
