Education Secretary Aims to Dismantle Department, Empower Parents

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon intends to dismantle the federal agency she leads and return authority over education to the states, while also vowing to penalize schools that withhold information from parents, particularly regarding students' gender identity. In an interview with The California Post, McMahon stated that President Trump tasked her with addressing the nation's lagging test scores upon her appointment.

McMahon expressed her belief that current educational methods are a significant factor in the poor performance, emphasizing that a top-down approach from Washington D.C. is ineffective due to the diverse needs across different regions. "No one size fits all. What works best in the states is best decided at the state level, with parents working with teachers, governors and school officials being involved," she said.

She urged parents to become more actively involved in their children's education, viewing the increased parental engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic as a positive outcome. "Take on the mantle, go to the school and find out what your children are being taught and how you want them to be taught," McMahon advised.

Regarding California's educational progress, McMahon stated, "There is a lot of room for improvement." Data shows that approximately 60% of California students are not proficient in math, and about half do not meet state reading proficiency standards.

McMahon also criticized California's policies concerning student gender identity information, warning of federal action against schools that limit disclosures to parents. The Education Department previously found that California's education agency violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by pressuring schools to conceal students' gender identities from their parents, citing a 2024 law. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has disputed this finding, arguing the law does not mandate nondisclosure.

"For a state to keep that information from parents, to hide files and to not provide that information, it’s clearly against FERPA, and we will investigate and come after them hard," McMahon stated. She called on governors to prioritize children's needs over those of adults.

The initiative to decentralize education control is part of a broader plan, including a March 2025 executive order by President Trump to eventually close the Department of Education. This closure would require congressional approval. McMahon noted that efforts are underway to transfer the department's functions and funding to other agencies.

"We are definitely working on our interagency agreements and moving the bodies of work out of the Department of Education. This is no small task," she said. The department has established agreements with entities such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, State, Labor, Interior, and Treasury to transfer grant programs, student loan portfolios, and responsibilities related to special education and civil rights.

McMahon proposed this transition as a "proof of concept" to lawmakers, asking for the opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness before seeking legislative support. "Let me show you that it will work. I won’t ask for your vote until I show you how it will work."

The department has also expressed concern over declining performance in introductory math courses at the University of California system. A department spokesperson remarked on the troubling trend of college students struggling with basic high school math and recommended that the UC system reconsider standardized testing requirements, similar to dozens of other institutions that have reinstated the SAT/ACT.