Department of Education Cuts "Woke" Spending by $350 Million
Last week, the Department of Education announced the cancellation of nearly $350 million in contracts and grants that were deemed to be "wasteful and ideologically driven," not serving the best interests of students and taxpayers.
Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs)
The agency terminated 10 contracts with RELs, totaling $336 million. RELs have existed for nearly six decades, conducting research on educational practices and outcomes across the country.
However, a review uncovered instances where DEI initiatives were being funded. For example, the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest was advising schools in Ohio to implement "equity audits" and "equity conversations."
The Education Department plans to enter into new contracts that align with statutory requirements, enhance student learning, and support stakeholders in education.
Equity Assistance Centers
Additionally, $33 million in grant funding was terminated for four Equity Assistance Centers. These centers provided training in DEI, critical race theory, and gender identity for state and local education agencies and school boards.
Termination of Divisive Ideology Grants
On Monday, the department announced the termination of more than $600 million in grants to institutions and nonprofits that were using taxpayer funds to train teachers and education agencies on purportedly divisive ideologies.
Training materials included controversial topics such as:
- Critical Race Theory
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Social justice activism
- Anti-racism
- White privilege and white supremacy
Grant Selection Biases
Furthermore, many of these grants included recruitment strategies that were implicitly or explicitly based on race.
Trump’s Stance
President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to abolish the Department of Education, calling it a "con job" that has failed American students.
He has pointed to the high cost per pupil in the United States, despite the country’s relatively low ranking in global education rankings.
Rationale for Cuts
The Biden administration has taken a different approach, arguing that these cuts are necessary to address the following concerns:
- Wasteful spending
- Ideological bias
- Potential harm to students
The Education Department maintains that its actions are in line with its mission to improve student outcomes and serve the best interests of all stakeholders in education.
Conclusion
The Department of Education’s decision to cancel $350 million in "woke" spending has sparked controversy and debate. While the administration argues that the cuts are in the best interests of students, critics question their effectiveness and the potential consequences for educational equity and diversity initiatives.
