Statement from All4Ed CEO Amy Loyd on the Nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education

February 13, 2025

Washington, DC

“I cannot support the nomination of Linda McMahon for U.S. Secretary of Education. McMahon’s policy agenda is a wrapped box with no present inside.  She says she is going to put education back in the hands of states and communities, but the truth is that they already have that power.  Federal law prohibits the U.S. Department of Education from mandating curricula, standards, and more; instead, our states, school districts, and schools decide what gets taught in our classrooms.  McMahon’s policy agenda will simply give them fewer resources to use the power they already have.   

Does our nation’s education system need improvement?  Yes. Can the U.S. Department of Education (ED) do better?  Also, yes.  And I believe this hard work can only be done through strengthening our public education system and bolstering the key roles that ED does play—such as supporting our children with disabilities, standing up for our kids who are bullied and harassed, helping young people and parents pay for college and career training, and ensuring that all our kids get a high-quality education.   

Our nation’s public education system unlocks the promise of America—the promise that every child, regardless of zip code, background, or individual needs, has the opportunity to thrive. This means that whether a child grows up in rural Oklahoma or the urban center of Chicago, comes from a family that is wealthy or struggling to pay the bills, or requires support for giftedness or learning differences, they should have access to a world of opportunities.  

As a former teacher, school district administrator, Assistant Secretary at ED, and lifelong education leader and advocate, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our public schools provide each child and young person with meaningful choices, opportunities to thrive, and fulfilling futures. I know firsthand that a strong public education system is vital to our nation’s success. In a world that is constantly evolving, our students deserve a Secretary of Education who will lead with a commitment to strengthening, rather than dismantling, the critical core functions of the Department of Education. They need a leader who will address today’s pressing challenges, ensuring that every child has access to a safe, supportive learning environment that fosters critical thinking creativity, collaboration, and the skills necessary to succeed in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand careers and in our communities. 

The Department plays a critical role in ensuring equal access to education, enforcing civil rights protections, and providing funding and resources that help all students succeed. Any plan to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, or to eliminate or reduce its important core functions, would have devastating consequences for students, families, educators, and communities across the country. The stated plans of the Trump administration, some of which have already been enacted in recent Executive Orders, will pull essential support away from our local schools, exacerbate educational inequities, and hinder our ability to prepare young people for the future. 

All4Ed recently conducted a bipartisan national poll, and the results are clear: 58% of all voters oppose shutting down the Department of Education. In fact, a majority of Americans support increasing funding for our nation’s public schools, recognizing the urgent need to invest in our children’s education and future prosperity. 

All4Ed stands ready to work with any policymaker willing to strengthen the Department of Education and advance its vital mission of promoting student achievement, ensuring equal access, and preparing all students for global competitiveness. Unfortunately, we must oppose the nomination of the Honorable Linda McMahon as she has committed to implementing policies that we know will be harmful to public education and, ultimately, to our students, our global competitiveness, and our nation’s future.”

Click here to read our letter to Chairman Bill Cassidy and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

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