Policies & Analysis

Two research organizations brought a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, challenging measures affecting the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) and its affiliated centers. IES, under the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA), is responsible for gathering, evaluating, and disseminating educational data to enhance both the scope and quality of information on U.S. education policies and practices. The plaintiffs allege that the Department’s actions—including terminating the majority of IES contracts with independent contractors and implementing a nearly 50% workforce reduction—interfere with its statutory responsibilities. These actions followed a presidential executive order directing the Department to take steps, to the extent permitted by law, toward a potential closure. The plaintiffs claim that the Department exceeded its statutory authority, acted arbitrarily and capriciously in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, and contravened separation of powers principles.

Nineteen states filed suit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s April 3 Agency Action, which directed State and Local Education Agencies (SEAs and LEAs) to complete a new certification related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under longstanding practice, SEAs and LEAs provide written assurances that they comply with Title VI as a condition of receiving federal education funds that support programs for low-income students, special education, English language learners, teacher recruitment and training, and other critical services. The plaintiffs allege that the April 3 Agency Action departs from this established process and imposes new, vague, and unlawful requirements that effectively condition billions of dollars in federal funding on agreement with an unsupported interpretation of Title VI. The States argue that the action exceeds statutory authority, fails to comply with required procedural safeguards, and threatens the immediate withdrawal of essential federal funds, creating severe harm to students, including those with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. The States reaffirmed their existing Title VI certifications but declined to comply with the April 3 Agency Action, asserting that it is unlawful, unconstitutional, and unauthorized.

The Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC), a nonprofit serving the legal needs of sex-based harassment victims, along with multiple minor students and their parents, filed suit against the U.S. Department of Education. The plaintiffs challenge a reduction-in-force (RIF) at the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that terminated nearly half of OCR's workforce and closed seven of OCR’s twelve regional offices. The complaint alleges that these actions were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and that the RIF was ultra vires because it left OCR unable to fulfill its statutory obligations to investigate civil rights complaints. The plaintiffs requested declaratory and injunctive relief to vacate the RIF and prevent the Department from enforcing it.

A group of educational organizations, including researchers, data scientists, and school staff, has sued the Trump administration for dismantling the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). IES was established under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to produce and disseminate education research for parents, educators, and policymakers about education in America. The plaintiffs argue that the administration has unlawfully terminated congressionally-mandated IES funds, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the separation of powers.

Plaintiffs, the Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), filed suit against the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. They challenge the Department’s termination of six core research and data programs within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), including multiple longitudinal studies, the peer review grant program, and the processing of restricted-use data applications. Plaintiffs allege these actions are unlawful under the Education Sciences Reform Act and violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) as arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law, depriving researchers and the public of congressionally mandated education data and research opportunities. They seek declaratory and injunctive relief to compel reinstatement of the terminated programs, resume grant and data access processes, and prevent further unlawful disruption of IES’s statutory functions.

Education nonprofits have sued the Trump administration for unlawfully dismantling the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). IES was established under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to produce and disseminate education research for parents, educators, and policymakers about education in America. Specifically, the lawsuit challenges the termination of six IES studies, grant programs, and processes. The plaintiffs argue that these IES research grants are congressionally-mandated, and that the administration's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act.

A coalition of education and civil rights associations have sued the Trump administration for dismantling the Department of Education. The plaintiffs argue that the administration has taken illegal action by reducing the Departments' staff and terminating its Congressionally-authorized programs and activities, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act; the Take Care, Appropriations, and Spending Clauses of the U.S. Constitution; and the separation of powers.

A coalition of educators, school districts, and unions have sued the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and the mass firing of its staff. The plaintiffs argue that the administration's actions will decimate crucial services provided to students, teachers, and parents and are in violation of the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. The case is now consolidated with State of New York v. McMahon, No. 1:25-cv-10601.

A coalition of attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration for efforts taken to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, including the announcement of plans to lay off more than 1,300 Department of Education employees. Plaintiffs argue that the job cuts would prevent the Department of Education from performing core functions that are authorized by statute. They allege the mass layoffs would violate the separation of powers, the Take Care Clause, the Administrative Procedure Act, and other federal statutes. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief.