WILL TRUMP’S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STRATEGY ACTUALLY CUT THE BUREAUCRACY? On March 11, the Department of Education issued a press release announcing that it had “initiated a reduction in force impacting nearly 50% of the department’s workforce.” When President Donald Trump was inaugurated, the release said, the Education Department had 4,133 employees. After the new cuts, the department will have 2,183 workers.

That was a reduction of 1,950 federal employees. Of that number, 572 accepted either an offer to resign and then not have to work but still be paid through Sept. 30 or an offer to accept a buyout of up to $25,000 immediately. The remaining number of departing workers, 1,378, would be placed on administrative leave before being fired. “Pursuant to regulatory requirements and the department’s collective bargaining agreement, all impacted employees will receive full pay and benefits until June 9th, as well as substantial severance pay or retirement benefits based upon their length of service,” the announcement said.