Washington Update, January 31, 2025
Dear TED Members,
We recognize the concerns surrounding this week’s funding freeze and its potential impact on higher education and related entities. To provide some clarity and address your questions, we invite you to join TED Leaders—including Dr. Kait Brennan, TED’s Policy Advisor, members of our Policy and Advocacy Committee, and the Presidential Line team—for a community briefing.
This briefing will serve as a space to share insights, discuss implications, and explore actionable steps as we navigate this evolving situation together. TED remains committed to supporting our members by actively engaging with leaders in Washington and across the country to ensure our collective voice is heard and our priorities are addressed.
Event Details:
📅 Date: February 11
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM ET
🔗 Join the briefing: Register Here
To help us provide the most relevant information, we encourage you to submit your questions in advance by February 9 using the following link. We will do our best to address as many questions submitted as possible during the briefing. We look forward to your participation and engagement.
LaRon Scott
TED President
Dear Colleagues:
As we navigate the shifting federal landscape, the Trump administration’s recent funding freeze and subsequent policy shifts have created significant uncertainty for higher education. The implications for student aid, research funding, and institutional priorities are profound, and further executive actions may pose additional challenges. Below is a summary of key developments, including the administration’s funding decisions, congressional responses, and changes within the Department of Education. As always, TED will continue to monitor these issues closely and provide updates on next steps for advocacy.
1. Trump Administration’s Funding Freeze Sparks Confusion in Higher Ed
Earlier this week, the Trump administration issued a sweeping federal funding freeze, abruptly halting billions in allocated resources across multiple sectors. The move, which lacked clear guidance, threw states, agencies, and organizations into chaos, forcing them to scramble to determine the impact on essential programs. While a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze, the administration quickly rescinded it—though the damage and uncertainty remain.
As you all well know, this will significantly impact higher education. Colleges and universities rely heavily on federal funding for student aid, research, and campus infrastructure. While some funding has been spared for now, the White House has signaled further executive actions aimed at restricting federal spending—targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, environmental initiatives, and foreign aid.
This uncertainty raises serious concerns about the long-term stability of critical programs that support students and institutions alike. Policy experts warn that these funding freezes could set the stage for legal battles over executive authority and congressional control of the budget.
The education community must stay vigilant. The broader trend suggests continued threats to key programs, making advocacy and awareness more important than ever. The stakes are high—not just for students, but for the institutions shaping the next generation.
TED will continue to monitor these developments and keep you informed. Be on the lookout for next steps on advocacy efforts to ensure that higher education funding remains a priority.
2. Chair Cassidy Outlines Education Priorities
Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy outlined his education priorities during the committee’s organizational meeting on Tuesday. Cassidy emphasized tackling the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses, reintroducing bipartisan legislation with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to require the Education Department to launch a public awareness campaign on Title VI protections and brief Congress monthly on efforts to address antisemitism complaints. He also prioritized addressing child literacy and dyslexia, citing the long-term societal impact of illiteracy, including lower graduation rates, higher incarceration, and unfilled jobs due to a lack of a skilled workforce. Ranking Member Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called for the panel to focus on reducing the costs of child care, public colleges, and health care, highlighting public demand for affordability in these areas.
3. New Leadership at the Education Department
The Trump administration has announced key appointments at the Education Department, signaling a shift in direction with a focus on merit-based policies and streamlining federal oversight.
• Denise Carter has been named acting secretary of education. With extensive government experience, Carter previously served as acting COO of Federal Student Aid, managing $121 billion in student grants, loans, and work-study programs. She also led preparations for the 2025-26 FAFSA launch and held leadership roles overseeing financial and operational functions at the department.
• Rachel Oglesby, formerly of AFPI, is stepping in as chief of staff.
• Jonathan Pidluzny, deputy chief of staff for policy, is known for his critiques of DEI initiatives and his advocacy for workforce development and short-term Pell programs.
• Chase Forrester, deputy chief of staff for operations, brings campaign and fundraising experience from AFPI and Trump’s 2020 campaign.
• Tom Wheeler joins as principal deputy general counsel, with Candice Jackson and Joshua Kleinfeld also serving in senior legal roles.
• Craig Trainor, deputy assistant secretary for civil rights policy, has a strong legal background and ties to AFPI.
• Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications, combines public relations expertise with prior government service.
• Hannah Ruth Earl, director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, previously led a network of young professionals advocating for limited government.
A Senate hearing for Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee for education secretary, has not yet been scheduled.
These appointments reflect a significant change in priorities, with a clear focus on reducing regulatory burdens and steering away from diversity, equity, and inclusion policies emphasized under the previous administration.
4. Ranking Member Scott Shares Priorities for House Education and Workforce Committee
Rep. Bobby Scott recently sat down with Politico to share his priorities and outlook as the ranking Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee. Now in his sixth term leading the committee’s Democrats, Scott spoke candidly about his plans to address key education and workforce issues while navigating a politically divided Congress. Despite the challenges, his calm demeanor and focus on practical solutions set the tone for the conversation.
Scott highlighted the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and a review of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as top priorities. These efforts aim to improve workforce development and close achievement gaps in schools. He also stressed the importance of oversight, particularly how schools used American Rescue Plan funds, to identify effective practices and guide future investments.
On bipartisanship, Scott expressed optimism about working with Chair Tim Walberg, describing a shared commitment to workforce issues like job training, even if they don’t always agree on the details. He’s also open to renegotiating funding for expanding short-term Pell Grants to help workers gain new skills. Scott emphasized the importance of staying focused on practical, impactful solutions, underscoring his readiness to ensure critical issues get attention, whether through committee work or independent initiatives like roundtables and studies.
5. Federal Agencies Begin Dismantling DEI Programs
Federal websites devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) began going offline Wednesday following a directive from the White House, which warned agencies of “adverse consequences” for failing to report DEI-related information within 10 days.
The move came after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo Tuesday instructing agencies to place DEI workers on paid leave and remove public-facing DEI content by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Agencies were also ordered to report any changes to DEI contracts or job descriptions made since the election.
Internal emails circulated across departments, including Health and Human Services, State, Agriculture, and Homeland Security, reinforced the OPM’s directive and cautioned against using “coded or imprecise language” to disguise DEI programs. While timely reporting was encouraged, agencies were warned that failure to comply could result in “adverse consequences.”
Archived DEI web pages highlighted the commitment of federal agencies to equity initiatives. For example:
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services emphasized diversity as a driver of efficiency and effectiveness.
• The National Institutes of Health outlined a DEI framework tied to its mission.
Despite these removals, some health equity pages remain online, such as CMS’ Office of Minority Health and the National Science Foundation’s DEI website.
HHS, CMS, NIH, and the White House have not commented on the changes.
This swift rollback of DEI efforts marks a significant shift in federal priorities, raising questions about the future of equity initiatives within government programs and their impact on education and workforce development.
6. Trump’s Executive Orders Could Reshape Education Policy
President Trump has signed three executive orders aimed at reshaping federal education policy, with major implications for K-12 schools and higher education. These orders focus on banning federal support for what the administration calls "indoctrination" in schools, launching federal investigations into campus protests, and advancing school choice initiatives.
The first order seeks to eliminate funding for programs teaching critical race theory and gender identity, echoing state-level policies in conservative-led states. It also directs law enforcement to pursue legal action against schools and educators who facilitate gender-affirming support for students. Additionally, the administration is reviving the controversial 1776 Commission to promote "patriotic education."
The second order intensifies efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses, mandating federal agencies to investigate and prosecute incidents while also revoking student visas for individuals deemed sympathetic to Hamas. The Education Department will compile a list of civil rights complaints related to antisemitism since the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The third order prioritizes school choice, directing federal agencies to identify ways to expand scholarship programs, use block grants for private and faith-based schools, and give military and tribal families more flexibility in choosing schools.
These orders signal a significant shift in federal education policy, reinforcing conservative priorities while sparking pushback from teacher unions and civil rights advocates. Expect continued debate as implementation unfolds and legal challenges emerge.
7. 2024 NAEP Results Indicate Declines in Reading and Mixed Outcomes in Mathematics
The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, released today, reveal a decline in reading performance among fourth and eighth graders. The average reading score for fourth graders decreased by 2 points compared to 2022 and by 5 points since 2019.n mathematics, fourth-grade students experienced a modest 2-point increase in average scores, while eighth-grade scores remained unchanged from 2022.otably, the achievement gap between higher- and lower-performing students has widened, with lower-performing students experiencing more significant declines. These trends highlight ongoing challenges in addressing educational disparities and learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. In response to these findings, Peggy Carr, Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, stated, "Student achievement has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, reading scores continue to decline, and our lowest performing students are reading at historically low levels."
The National Association of State Boards of Education emphasized the need for a sustained commitment to improving student outcomes, noting, "We need to remain steadfast in our commitment to raise achievement for all students, from those needing the most support to the students thriving at the highest levels.”
These developments underscore the importance of targeted interventions and support to address the widening achievement gaps and to promote educational equity.
What. A. Week.
Hang in there, everyone.
I know these policy shifts create a lot of uncertainty, but this is exactly why our collective advocacy matters. Higher education has weathered challenges before, and we’ll do it again—by staying informed, speaking up, and making sure those in power hear us loud and clear. TED will keep you updated as things evolve, and we’ll be looking for ways to push back where needed. In the meantime, stay engaged, keep the conversation going, and know that we’re in this fight together. More to come soon!
Until next time…See you on X!
Kait
@brennan_kait
