Washington Update, February 24, 2025
Dear Colleagues:
These past few weeks have brought deep uncertainty for many Americans, especially those in education and higher education. As policies shift and key decisions unfold, the TED Policy Committee has stepped up in a big way, curating essential resources to keep our community informed and ready to act. Their outstanding collection of resources, accessible through their Linktree page, includes policy briefs, advocacy toolkits, and legislative updates—all designed to evolve over time so that you always have the most relevant and actionable information at your fingertips. With education policy rapidly changing, we encourage you to check back regularly for updates and new tools.
TED is here for you, and we will be advocating alongside you—for students with disabilities, for the educators who support them, for the faculty who prepare the next generation of professionals, and for the researchers whose work advances our field.
We invite you to join us this Thursday for our virtual Washington Update, where we’ll break down the latest policy developments and what they mean for our work. And don’t miss our Advocacy in Action sessions beginning March 4th, where we’ll equip you with the tools to engage effectively in the advocacy efforts that matter most. In uncertain times, our collective voice is more important than ever—and together, we will continue to advocate for the best interests of our students, our profession, and the future of special education. Huge props to the TED Policy Committee for their commitment to empowering informed advocacy and meaningful change!
1. Democrats press Department of Education for answers after significant cuts to IES
A group of congressional Democrats is pressing the Education Department for answers after the agency, under pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), canceled 89 contracts worth $881 million. These cuts impact critical education research, including national test scores, school safety, and early childhood education. The move comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal oversight of education, raising concerns about how these decisions align with the push to downsize or even eliminate the department altogether.
Lawmakers, led by Rep. Bobby Scott and Sen. Bernie Sanders, are demanding transparency, arguing that terminating these contracts will disrupt efforts to track student achievement, evaluate federal programs, and implement evidence-based reforms. They warn that without these studies, policymakers and educators will lack the necessary data to make informed decisions on student learning, funding allocations, and educational equity.
Among the key projects affected are the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which provides critical data on student performance nationwide, and research on postsecondary aid, early childhood education, and school safety. These cancellations are particularly alarming given that recent NAEP data shows academic recovery from the pandemic has stalled, with reading scores continuing to decline and the nation’s lowest-performing students struggling at historic levels.
Lawmakers have requested a detailed explanation from the department by Feb. 27, including justifications for the cancellations and records of DOGE’s involvement. As the Trump administration continues its push for sweeping changes to federal education policy, the fate of these research initiatives remains uncertain, leaving many questioning how education decisions will be guided without reliable data.
2. McMahon nomination moves Forward
Linda McMahon’s nomination to lead the Education Department moved forward Thursday, advancing to a full Senate vote after a 12-11 party-line decision in the HELP Committee. During her confirmation hearing, McMahon outlined President Trump’s vision for reforming the department, arguing that bureaucracy has hindered student success. Lawmakers questioned what would happen to key programs, like special education and funding for low-income schools, if the agency were downsized or dismantled. With Trump considering an executive order to eliminate the department entirely, McMahon’s role—and the future of federal education oversight—remains uncertain, raising concerns about how essential programs will be managed and whether states will be equipped to take on expanded responsibilities.
Now that McMahon’s nomination has cleared the Senate HELP Committee, the next step is a full Senate vote, where she will need a simple majority (51 votes) for confirmation. Given the partisan nature of her nomination, the vote could be close, with potential swing votes from moderate senators. If confirmed, she would be sworn in as Secretary of Education and immediately face critical decisions about the department’s future—particularly as Trump’s proposed executive order to eliminate the department looms, raising questions about how federal education programs, funding, and oversight will be handled moving forward.
3. Who is Penny Schwinn? Nominated by President Trump to be McMahon’s number 2 at the Department of Education
Penny Schwinn, a Sacramento-born educator, has been nominated as deputy education secretary under Linda McMahon in the Trump administration. Her nomination comes at a pivotal moment, as the administration pursues sweeping changes to federal education policy, including downsizing or potentially dismantling the Department of Education altogether. Despite this push, Schwinn brings a traditional education background, having held leadership roles in California, Delaware, Texas, and Tennessee, where she focused on school improvement, literacy, and education policy at the state level.
A strong advocate for school choice, Schwinn previously served on the Sacramento County Board of Education, worked as an assistant superintendent, and helped establish charter schools, aligning with the administration’s emphasis on decentralizing education and expanding alternatives to traditional public schools. Colleagues describe her as prepared, pragmatic, and deeply committed to improving student outcomes, though some question how she will navigate the administration’s broader agenda, particularly as federal oversight is reduced.
Her nomination raises key questions about her role in a department that may face drastic cuts or even elimination. Some hope Schwinn’s experience working across different education systems will enable her to shape policy from within and advocate for essential programs, particularly those supporting students with disabilities and low-income schools. Others remain skeptical, unsure whether she will have the influence to preserve critical functions of the department amid the administration’s push for systemic change. With McMahon’s confirmation process underway and Trump’s executive order on the horizon, Schwinn’s position will be one to watch as the future of federal education oversight takes shape.
Until next time, see you on X!
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Kait
@brennan_kait
