đ„Hired To Be Fired: Linda McMahon as the new Secretary of Education
Linda McMahon has officially been confirmed as the new Secretary of Education, and sheâs made one thing clear: her goal is to shut down the Department of Education. What does this mean?
Linda McMahon has officially been confirmed as the new Secretary of Education, and sheâs made one thing clear: her goal is to shut down the Department of Education.
In her speech, Our Departmentâs Final Mission, she painted a picture of an education system pushing âradical anti-American ideology.â But hereâs the thingâthis simply isnât true. The Department of Education isnât a propaganda machine. It funds essential programs, including special education, Title I schools, and student aid. If it disappears, who fills the gap?
Her 3 Priorities:
1ïžâŁ Parents as Primary Decision Makers â Yes, parents should have a voice in their childâs education. But education is complex, and we need professionalsâteachers, specialists, and expertsâto guide us. For many families, placing the full weight of a child's education on parents isnât a relief, itâs a burden.
2ïžâŁ Refocusing on Core Subjects â McMahon claims taxpayer-funded education should focus only on math, reading, science, and historyânot âdivisive DEI programs and gender ideology.â But this is misleading. Schools arenât choosing between core subjects and inclusionâtheyâre doing both. Teaching accurate history, fostering critical thinking, and creating welcoming environments for all students is meaningful education. But education isnât just about test scoresâitâs about educating the whole child. Making sure students feel seen, supported, and valued at school isnât a distraction from learning; itâs what makes deep, meaningful learning possible.
3ïžâŁ Education as Workforce Training â McMahon argues that postsecondary education should be a direct path to a well-paying job aligned with workforce needs. But colleges and universities do more than hand out credentialsâthey are hubs of research, innovation, and critical thinking. Reducing higher education to job training ignores the broader value of learning, discovery, and preparing students to shape the future, not just fill positions.
What Happens Next?
If the Department of Education is dismantled, states will scramble to replace funding for critical programs. Special education, student lunch programs, Pell Grantsâwhat happens to them? Who ensures every child has access to a quality education, no matter where they live?
Itâs no surprise that most Americans donât support this planâan âNPR/PBS News/Marist pollâ found that 63% oppose shutting down the DoEd, compared to just 37% in favor.
Final thoughts
No matter what thoughts youâre left with, please donât give up on public education. Thereâs power in numbers, and schools are stronger when families stay engaged. This is just the beginningâthere will be a lot of court cases that come from these decisions. I believe the results of McMahonâs speech wonât reflect the outcomes weâll actually see, and we need to keep pushing for whatâs best for our kids.
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