rewrite US education department plans to cut half its workforce in 6 to 8 words

Established in 1979, the department oversees funding for public schools, administers student loans and runs programmes that help low-income students.

A common misconception is that it operates US schools and sets curricula – that is done by states and local districts.

And a relatively small percentage of funding for primary and secondary schools – about 13% – comes from federal funds. The majority is made up from states and local groups.

“As part of the Department of Education’s final mission, the department today initiated a reduction in force impacting nearly 50% of the department’s workforce,” a statement from Education Secretary Linda McMahon said on Tuesday.

“All divisions within the department are impacted by the reduction, with some divisions requiring significant reorganisation to better serve students, parents, educators, and taxpayers,” she added.