AIR Survey Highlights Institutional Concerns Over Changes to U.S. Department of Education

In May 2025, the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) conducted a survey to assess the impact of recent and proposed changes to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness (IR/IE) offices. Prompted by a request from Senator Elizabeth Warren's office, the survey aimed to gather insights into how these federal actions affect higher education institutions and their data functions. The survey was distributed to 4,853 AIR members, yielding 476 responses—a response rate of approximately 10%.

Key Findings:

Concerns Over Staff Reductions at ED:

81% of respondents identified a lack of information about future data collections as the most significant concern resulting from staff reductions at the ED.
64% expressed worries about decreased federal policy updates and communications.

Impact of Policy and Program Changes:

58% of respondents indicated that changes to ED policies and programs have weakened their institutions' abilities to understand and address student needs.

Potential Consequences of Abolishing the ED:

81% believed that abolishing the ED could lead to a loss of access to crucial federal datasets, such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Sample Surveys, which are essential to institutional operations.
80% agreed that their institutions would lose financial aid programs (e.g., Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, Direct Loans), making it harder for students to afford college.

Concerns About Transferring ED Responsibilities:

Respondents expressed apprehension that transferring ED responsibilities to other federal agencies could result in inefficiencies and delays, given the specialized expertise required to manage education-related data and programs.

For a detailed overview of the survey findings, visit AIR's official report: Impact of Changes to the U.S. Department of Education on IR/IE Offices and Higher Education Institutions.