Policy Pulse Check: Trends, Impacts, and What Educators Need to Know

Courtesy of Delmarva Digital Learning Association, USDLA State Chapter

April 16, 2025

Navigating Change: Educators’ Perspectives on Federal Policies & Digital Learning

With so many policy shifts unfolding simultaneously, it can be overwhelming—particularly for educators who are deeply engaged in teaching, managing schools, or leading institutions. However, staying informed remains essential. Understanding macro-level policy shifts allows education professionals to anticipate their local impact. Most importantly, it helps ensure that the core mission—educating students and maintaining access to the resources they need to succeed—continues without disruption. This installment takes a closer look at some of the latest developments impacting the Department of Education, digital learning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and Harvard University.

Department of Education Workforce Reductions

The U.S. Department of Education has reduced its workforce by nearly 50%, decreasing from 4,133 to approximately 2,183 employees. This reduction includes cuts to the Office of Federal Student Aid and the Office for Civil Rights, potentially impacting the administration of federal education programs and civil rights enforcement. However, the Department of Education noted that “it will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking.”

Dissolution of DEI Initiatives

The Department of Education has taken measures to eliminate DEI initiatives, including removing references from public communications and workforce roles . An “End DEI” portal has been launched to allow the public to file complaints about DEI initiatives in publicly funded K-12 schools .

Impact on Digital Learning

The dismantling of the Office of Educational Technology has raised concerns among education and technology advocacy groups. They warn that these cuts could weaken school cybersecurity measures and hinder progress in digital learning initiatives.

Title IV Program Updates

The Department has initiated negotiated rulemaking for the 2025–2026 period to consider regulatory changes to programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act . Final rules have been published governing distance education and the return of Title IV funds, impacting institutions offering fully online educational programs.

Harvard University Funding Freeze

Harvard University has faced a freeze of approximately $2.3 billion in federal funding after refusing to comply with federal directives to eliminate DEI programs. The university argues that these demands violate academic freedom and constitutional protections. Alan Garber, Harvard’s president stated “No one should dictate what private universities can teach” and it would not “surrender its independence”.

References

Education Week. (2025). The Ed. Dept. axed its Office of Ed Tech. What that means for schools. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/the-ed-dept-axed-its-office-of-ed-tech-what-that-means-for-schools/2025/03

Federal Register. (2025). Program integrity and institutional quality; Distance education and return of Title IV HEA funds; Final rule. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/03/2024-31031/program-integrity-and-institutional-quality-distance-education-and-return-of-title-iv-hea-funds

GovTech. (2025). Federal layoffs cut 50 percent of Department of Education staff. https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/federal-layoffs-cut-50-percent-of-department-of-education-staff

New York State Education Department. (2025). 2024-25 Title I Part A, Title I Part D, Title II Part A, Title IV final allocation changes. https://www.nysed.gov/essa/2024-25-title-i-part-title-i-part-d-title-ii-part-title-iv-final-allocation-changes

Reuters. (2025, April 15). NAACP sues U.S. Department of Education over DEI school funding cuts. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/naacp-sues-us-education-department-over-dei-school-funding-cuts-2025-04-15

Reuters. (2025, April 15). Trump administration freezes about $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-freezes-about-23-billion-funding-harvard-2025-04-15

StateScoop. (2025, April). Industry groups alarmed Education Department cuts may weaken school cybersecurity. https://statescoop.com/industry-groups-alarmed-education-department-cuts-may-weaken-school-cybersecurity

The Guardian. (2025, April 14). Trump freezes federal funds to Harvard over DEI defiance. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/14/trump-harvard-funding-freeze

The Guardian. (2025, April 15). First Thing: Obama condemns Trump’s $2.3bn Harvard funding freeze as ‘unlawful’. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/15/first-thing-obama-condemns-trump-23bn-harvard-funding-freeze-unlawful

U.S. Department of Education. (2025). U.S. Department of Education initiates reduction in force. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force

U.S. Department of Education. (2025). U.S. Department of Education launches “End DEI” portal. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-end-dei-portal

U.S. Department of Education. (2025). U.S. Department of Education takes action to eliminate DEI. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-takes-action-eliminate-dei

Policy Pulse Check: Trends, Impacts, and What Educators Need to Know