The Education Department plans to lay off more than 1,300 of its employees as part of an effort to halve the organization’s staff -- a prelude to President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the agency.

The moves will cut the department from 4,133 workers when President Donald Trump began his second term in January to 2,183 workers. The significant cuts come as Trump is considering an executive order attempting to dismantle the agency and as all federal departments and agencies are preparing "large-scale reductions in force" ahead of a Thursday deadline ordered by Trump.

Linda McMahon was sworn in as the next Secretary of Education on Monday shortly after being confirmed to the post in a full Senate vote.

School choice advocates are optimistic about Education Secretary Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump‘s plans to reinvigorate the Republican-led efforts to expand parents’ options for their children’s education.

The Senate has voted to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s education chief, a role that places her atop a department President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle.