Department of Education: Full Costs and Savings Estimate Needed for Reduction-in-Force and Restructuring of the Office for Civil Rights. Q&A. Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senate. GAO-26-108320
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| Title: | Department of Education: Full Costs and Savings Estimate Needed for Reduction-in-Force and Restructuring of the Office for Civil Rights. Q&A. Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senate. GAO-26-108320 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jacqueline M. Nowicki, US Government Accountability Office (GAO) |
| Source: | US Government Accountability Office. 2026. |
| Availability: | US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Intended Audience: | Policymakers |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials |
| Descriptors: | Federal Government, Public Agencies, Civil Rights, Education, Job Layoff, Costs, Cost Effectiveness, Documentation, Leaves of Absence, Administrative Organization, Government Employees |
| Abstract: | In March 2025, the Department of Education (Education) announced a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) and reorganization that would cut its workforce by about half and close several offices nationwide. That same month, the President issued an Executive Order stating that the "Secretary of Education shall, to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education…". According to a press release from the Secretary of Education, the RIF actions reflected a commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources were directed to students, parents, and teachers. Three offices within Education--the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)--collectively represented about 70 percent of the approximately 1,250 staff subject to Education's March 2025 RIF actions, according to information Education provided to Congress. Staff who were subject to the RIF were scheduled to be separated (i.e., terminated) in early June 2025. However, subsequent preliminary injunctions prohibited Education from doing so. According to Education, all RIF actions were paused as of November 21, 2025. Education rescinded the RIF actions for OCR staff in early January 2026. OCR enforces several federal civil rights laws, including laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin; sex; disability; and age. OCR's enforcement authority extends to institutions that receive funds from Education, such as state educational agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, and colleges and universities. OCR also has responsibilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination by public entities whether or not they receive federal financial assistance. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to examine issues related to OCR's operations in light of recent RIF actions. This report provides information about actions that occurred from February 2025 through early January 2026 related to RIFs at OCR, associated costs and savings, and OCR's workload. The GAO plans to examine similar issues in FSA and IES in separate reports. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED680575 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In March 2025, the Department of Education (Education) announced a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) and reorganization that would cut its workforce by about half and close several offices nationwide. That same month, the President issued an Executive Order stating that the "Secretary of Education shall, to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education…". According to a press release from the Secretary of Education, the RIF actions reflected a commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources were directed to students, parents, and teachers. Three offices within Education--the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)--collectively represented about 70 percent of the approximately 1,250 staff subject to Education's March 2025 RIF actions, according to information Education provided to Congress. Staff who were subject to the RIF were scheduled to be separated (i.e., terminated) in early June 2025. However, subsequent preliminary injunctions prohibited Education from doing so. According to Education, all RIF actions were paused as of November 21, 2025. Education rescinded the RIF actions for OCR staff in early January 2026. OCR enforces several federal civil rights laws, including laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin; sex; disability; and age. OCR's enforcement authority extends to institutions that receive funds from Education, such as state educational agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, and colleges and universities. OCR also has responsibilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination by public entities whether or not they receive federal financial assistance. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to examine issues related to OCR's operations in light of recent RIF actions. This report provides information about actions that occurred from February 2025 through early January 2026 related to RIFs at OCR, associated costs and savings, and OCR's workload. The GAO plans to examine similar issues in FSA and IES in separate reports. |
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