Last month, the U.S. Department of Education reduced its workforce by half, sending shockwaves through the education community. That significant action was followed by an executive order from President Donald Trump, who directed U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to work toward the closure of the Education Department “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”

The fallout since has been tangible: Half of Education Department's civil rights offices nationwide closed, the agency that administers the Nation's Report Card is all but gone, and equity assistance centers have been shuttered. 

According to a Moody's report released this month, the federal layoffs will have both a short and long-term impact on school districts, which are now at additional financial risk as a result. Lawsuits have also alleged that the Education Department won't be able to fulfill its statutory responsibilities, such as ensuring students' civil rights and providing an equitable education to vulnerable children — a claim that the department refutes. 

As the fallout continues to unravel, K-12 Dive is covering what the federal overhaul means for schools, districts and states. We’ve gathered a selection of our coverage so far.