Trump Education Board Firings: Updates & Impact
- The Trump administration last month fired all 13 Biden-appointed members of the National Board for education Sciences (NBES), a move criticized by former members.
- The May 23 firings impact the board's role in shaping the department's $900 million research agenda.
- Madi Biedermann, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications under Education Secretary Linda McMahon, confirmed the dismissals.
The Trump administration’s dismissal of the National Board for Education Sciences members has sparked significant debate. This decision, targeting Biden appointees, raises critical questions about the future of education research adn its influence on the Department of Education.The firings were justified by citing poor student outcomes and partisan influence. These moves could reshape the $900 million research agenda, impacting grant oversight and efforts to address achievement gaps, as many IES contracts were canceled.. Critics, including former board members, decry this as a political move, possibly undermining scientific integrity. News Directory 3 offers insights into the shifting landscape of education policy. Discover what’s next for education spending within the Trump administration.
Trump Administration Fires Education Research board Members
Updated June 4, 2025
The Trump administration last month fired all 13 Biden-appointed members of the National Board for education Sciences (NBES), a move criticized by former members. The NBES advises the Department of Education’s research arm, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
The May 23 firings impact the board’s role in shaping the department’s $900 million research agenda. The NBES, established in 2002, oversees peer-reviewed grants and advises on closing achievement gaps related to race, income, and disability.The future of this work is now uncertain, given the administration’s cuts to education spending and it’s focus on education research.
Madi Biedermann, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications under Education Secretary Linda McMahon, confirmed the dismissals. Biedermann said the board members failed to ensure activities were objective and free of partisan influence. She cited poor student outcomes and excessive spending on research contracts as justification for the action. New appointees will be named to advance the administration’s vision for education reform, which emphasizes decentralization.
Biedermann said student outcomes declined nationwide under the previous board, and partisan ideologies seeped into taxpayer-funded research. However, former board members and education advocates view the firings as a political effort to discredit scientific research and weaken protections for vulnerable students.
Shaun harper, a University of Southern California professor and former board member, said he wasn’t surprised by the administration’s decision. In an op-ed, Harper said the board members approached their work as experts, not as politically polarizing activists.
The Trump administration has expressed its disapproval of the Department of Education. A federal court recently blocked an executive order aimed at downsizing the agency. Education Secretary McMahon testified that restructuring efforts led by Elon Musk, formerly of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), resulted in the dismissal of many department staff members.
Concerns are mounting about the future of the IES. NPR reported that many IES contracts were canceled within the first two months of Trump’s second term.These included studies on math interventions, homeschooling data collection, and surveys related to private education and career training.
What’s next
The Trump administration is expected to announce new appointees to the National Board for Education Sciences who align with its vision for decentralized education and reduced federal involvement in education research and spending.