U.S. Education Department Eliminates Office of Educational Technology Amid Workforce Cuts

The U.S. Department of Education has eliminated its Office of Educational Technology (OET) as part of a larger workforce reduction, cutting its staff to about 2,200 employees, which is just over half of its size under the previous administration. Critics warn that the loss of the OET, which provided guidance on emerging educational technologies, leaves states and districts without crucial support for navigating new tools like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Supporters of dismantling the department, including Utah Governor Spencer Cox, argue that education should be managed at the state level and criticize the federal bureaucracy for inefficiency and failure to improve student outcomes. They cite a history of declining test scores and burdensome requirements tied to federal funding as evidence of the department's shortcomings. Proponents of change believe that cutting the department's reach will empower local authorities and improve educational quality. Meanwhile, experts express concern over the implications of such drastic cuts on federal guidance for education technology and policy.