On March 3, the newly-confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon began laying the groundwork to follow through on the Trump administration’s promise to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
In a letter shared with ED staff, McMahon outlined plans for a “historic overhaul” of the Department that would drastically change how it is staffed and funded, and her vision for a “new era of accountability” in which states regain control and oversight of education.
McMahon also called for the Department to embrace three convictions in its final period of operation:
- Restore parental rights.
- Certify that education is grounded in “meaningful learning” like math and reading.
- Ensure postsecondary pathways lead to well-paying careers in in-demand industries. [The Hill]
Signing off the letter, McMahon said: “This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students. I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete, we will all be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future.”
This isn’t a surprise, of course. McMahon’s affiliations with the America First Policy Institute revealed her intentions for the Department well before she was in the hot seat for her confirmation hearings. And while President Trump distanced himself from the Heritage Foundation on the campaign trail, the effort to close the Department is straight out of their Project 2025 playbook. [Inside Higher Ed]
This article is sourced from Whiteboard Notes, our weekly newsletter of the latest education policy and industry news read by thousands of education leaders, investors, grantmakers, and entrepreneurs. Subscribe here.
