Sunday, October 12
Media contact: Dorie Turner Nolt, dorie.turner@gmail.com, 404-861-1127
Over the last three days, AFGE Local 252, which represents more than 2700 Department of Education employees has received confirmation from multiple union members that the following POCs (Principal Operating Components) are going to be affected by an illegal reduction-in-force (RIF): Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Post Secondary Education (OPE), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD). A list of affected offices has been compiled below based on information shared by staff. The Local does not yet know if further POCs will be affected. AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman issued the following statement (in addition to the below statement from Friday, October 10)
“I am truly outraged – but I can’t say that I’m shocked. This administration is using the same playbook that cut 1,500 staff in March again to further illegally dismantle the Department of Education without any regard for the impacts on the American public, and we are tired of it. These RIFs will double down on the harm to K-12 students, students with disabilities, first-generation college students, low-income students, teachers, and local education boards, which are already feeling the impacts of a hamstrung Department from the March RIF. We will do everything in our power to fight back against this illegal gutting of a congressionally created agency that provides critical resources and support services to students and their families across America.”
List of Affected Units as of 5:30 p.m. ET on October 12, 2025
Please note that the Local is still trying to determine the scope of the RIF in the below mentioned offices, as we have not received notice from the agency.
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE):
- Office of Innovation and Early Learning
- Office of School Community Improvement Programs
- Well Rounded Education Division (Arts Education)
- Charter Schools Program
- Office of Safe and Supportive Schools
- Program and Grantee Support Services
- Comprehensive Literacy State Development
- JAVITS (Gifted and Talented)
- School Support and Accountability
- Office of Formula Grants
- Office of Migrant Education
- Effective Educator Development Program
- Innovation and Early Learning Programs
- Effective Development Division
- Program and Grantee Support Services
Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO):
- State and Local Engagement
Office of Post Secondary Education (OPE):
- Student Support Services (TRIO)
- Institutional Service (HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges, ANAPISI)
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS):
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
Office for Civil Rights (OCR):
- Enforcement Offices
Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD):
- Budget Service
October 10, 2026 Statement:
Today, AFGE Local 252, which represents more than 2,700 Department of Education employees, received confirmation from multiple union members that the following POCs are going to be affected by an illegal reduction-in-force (RIF): Office of Communications and Outreach (State and Local Engagement Team) and Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (all teams). The Local does not yet know if further POCs will be affected. AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman issued the following statement:
“This administration continues to use every opportunity to illegally dismantle the Department of Education (ED) against congressional intent. They are using the same playbook to cut staff without regard for the impacts to students and families in communities across the country.
“Once again, the Trump Administration is acting as though they have impunity to cut staff from an already lean, efficient agency. In March the administration fired more than a thousand critical employees who held statutorily required roles and responsibilities, and for months, we have seen department leadership detail staff to cover holes and bring people back from administrative leave.
“Dismantling the government through mass firings, especially at the ED, is not the solution to our problems as a country. AFGE Local 252 will use every tool available to us to fight for our members, our agency, and for the vital services we provide to the American people.”
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AFGE Local 252 