The Education Department is slashing over 1,300 jobs, cutting its workforce in half as part of President Trump’s broader plan to shrink the federal government. Officials have confirmed the layoffs, following previous staff reductions through buyouts and probationary terminations.
With the department now down to roughly 2,000 employees, concerns are growing over its ability to function effectively. The agency is also terminating leases in major cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago.
Despite the cuts, officials insist core operations — like distributing federal aid, managing student loans, and overseeing Pell Grants — will continue. Similar downsizing is expected across the VA, Social Security Administration, and other federal agencies.
What could that mean for your kids?
According to prediction markets like Kalshi, it’s either split or pretty grim.
What are reading scores going to look like next year?
“Reading is fundamental” is both a core phrase of growing up and the largest nonprofit children’s literacy organization in the U.S.
And who can forget LeVar Burton on Reading Rainbow? Did I watch Star Trek growing up? Of course, you fools, but Reading Rainbow stuck with me way more. Yes, I was a tremendous nerd, why do you ask?
The big concern now, however, is with cuts to the DoE, what will the impact be on reading levels for our children.
I absolutely always read to my niece before she goes to sleep, I think it’s excruciatingly important, but Kalshi puts a significant decrease on reading test levels at 45%, a significant increase at 43% and no real change at 25%. (Outcome verified by Nation’s Report Card.)
The National Center for Education Statistics suggests we’ve been tanking.
What might math scores look like? Not great
There’s a nonzero chance I was a mathlete. As such, it’s a bummer to see the markets think there’s a 46% chance we see math scores go way down next year.
Around 39% think we could go up, and about 20% think it’ll be nominal.
But, once again, NAEP data suggests we’re looking at a significant dropoff as students continue to recover from pandemic shutdowns and its impact on the educational environment.
