The U.S. Department of Education moved this week to finalize hundreds of staff reductions that will further shrink the agency’s capacity to enforce civil‑rights laws and administer grants. More than 250 employees in the Office for Civil Rights were notified their last day would be Nov. 3, and agency filings show an additional round of cuts could eliminate dozens more positions across offices that oversee special education, low‑income student funding and compliance. The layoffs come after earlier reductions this year and amid the federal government shutdown; Education Week and agency filings indicate roughly 730 positions could be lost by year‑end—about 30% of remaining staff. Advocates and higher‑ed administrators warned the timing will disrupt investigations, stall grant approvals and leave colleges and K‑12 systems without enforcement partners or technical assistance. Department officials have said they appreciate employees’ service while defending staffing decisions as part of broader agency downsizing. Universities and advocacy groups are already flagging risks to civil‑rights enforcement and program continuity should regulators remain understaffed during legal and policy transitions.