TICAS Raises Alarm on Unprecedented Cuts to Department of Education’s Data Collection Contracts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recently, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reported cancelling nearly $900 million in contracts that provide critical information on student performance, college costs, and efforts to improve student achievement and graduation. These contracts support work within the Department’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

The following statement is attributed to Sameer Gadkaree, President & CEO of The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS): 

“Sensible public policy for education depends on strong research and basic collection and availability of data on institutional performance and student outcomes. Without it, Americans will be in the dark on shifts in debt, student success, and how public dollars should be invested to increase effectiveness.

“The cancelled contracts create a substantial risk that core Congressional mandates—including increasing transparency and improving student outcomes through evidence-based strategies—will be delayed and may not be possible. Without action, ongoing data collection efforts will be impaired and future availability of basic, up-to-date information will be at risk. Like other actions by DOGE to immediately terminate existing and fully funded contracts, no public rationale has been provided for the disruption of this critical work.

“As always, TICAS stands ready to work with the administration to advance policy priorities that serve students and the country. We support thoughtful and strategic improvement and reform in the laws passed by Congress and in the administration of those laws at federal agencies. We call on the Trump Administration to immediately restore the functions of IES and offer transparent communication about its plans for the Department to colleges, students, parents, and policymakers.”