Hours after being confirmed as the new US Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon wasted no time in making her vision clear to the employees of the Department of Education (ED). In an email titled “Our Department’s Final Mission” she outlined her and President Donald Trump’s approach to education policy, one that signals a drastic shift toward decentralization and efficiency. While the email did not contain an explicit step-by-step policy framework, it did however provide a clear ideological direction, offering insights into the administration’s key objectives for the future of American education.
#1 – A push for decentralization and state control
McMahon’s message reaffirmed a long-discussed Republican goal: the reduction, if not outright elimination, of the Department of Education. Trump had previously indicated an intention to dismantle the department, and McMahon’s email doubled down on this vision, emphasizing the elimination of “bureaucratic bloat” and “harmful programs.” This restructuring aims to hand back control of education to the states, signaling a departure from federal oversight and centralized education mandates.
#2 – Expanding school choice and parental control
A key component of this shift is the expansion of school choice. Under McMahon’s leadership, the administration seeks to empower parents with more control over their children’s education. This includes increased funding and support for charter schools, private school vouchers, and homeschooling. The administration also appears poised to reject federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as policies related to gender ideology in schools.
#3 – Focus on traditional curriculum and patriotic education
Another significant pillar of McMahon’s roadmap is a refocus on traditional academic subjects, coupled with a renewed emphasis on patriotic education. This aligns with previous conservative efforts, such as the Trump administration’s 1776 Commission, which sought to promote a curriculum rooted in “American values” while removing elements like Critical Race Theory (CRT) from classrooms. The push for a curriculum reset suggests that McMahon’s tenure will prioritize classical education disciplines—math, reading, science, and civics—over what the administration views as ideologically driven instruction.
#4 – Reshaping higher education for workforce readiness
Higher education is also set to undergo a shift under McMahon’s leadership. The administration’s focus will be on aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs. This could mean a stronger push for vocational training and alternative career pathways, reducing the emphasis on traditional four-year degrees. Additionally, student loan reform is likely to be guided by a return-on-investment approach, emphasizing programs that lead to high-paying jobs while discouraging federal investment in degrees that do not yield economic mobility.
#5 – Bureaucratic overhaul and efficiency measures
Beyond educational philosophy, McMahon’s approach signals a broader bureaucratic overhaul. In line with Trump’s commitment to deregulation, the Department of Education is expected to undergo staff reductions, budget cuts, and efficiency audits. The administration is positioning itself to trim what it perceives as unnecessary spending while giving schools and educators greater autonomy.
What lies ahead
While no executive orders or legislative plans have been formally introduced yet, McMahon’s initial message provides a strong ideological foundation for what’s to come. If fully realized, her roadmap would represent one of the most significant transformations of federal education policy in modern US history—one that prioritizes decentralization, deregulation, and a fundamental shift in educational values.
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