Trump administration gutted data collection on US education
3 hours ago
- US reading and math scores have fallen to their lowest in 25 years, yet key data collection agencies are being dismantled.
- The Trump administration slashed staff and contracts at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), reducing its workforce from 100 to just 12.
- Critical longitudinal studies, such as the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS) tracking post-pandemic children, were canceled mid-way, wasting millions in taxpayer funds.
- Cuts have halted surveys on school violence, college financing, and student progress, limiting the ability to address educational declines.
- Researchers and advocates argue that eliminating data collection is short-sighted, as it undermines evidence-based policy and intervention development.
- Some data collections have been reinstated due to public pressure and lawsuits, but ongoing uncertainty persists.