Two prominent education policy organizations filed a federal lawsuit against Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the Department of Education, challenging what they describe as the unlawful dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), represented by Public Citizen Litigation Group, allege that the Department has effectively rendered IES non-functional through a massive staff reduction and the cancellation of numerous research contracts. The IES was established under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to produce and disseminate education research, statistics, and analyses. For over two decades, it has served as what the plaintiffs call "the backbone of education research in the United States." AEFP President Michal Kurlaender said the actions have created “serious challenges” to research work due to funding and staffing terminations. “We want to do all that we can to protect essential data and research infrastructure. This is fundamental to our mission,” said Kurlaender.