Secretary of Education Linda McMahon News Tracker
"Controversial Education Shakeup: U.S. Secretary McMahon Abruptly Cuts COVID-19 Relief Funds, Unveils Sweeping Reforms"
In a controversial move, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has abruptly canceled extensions previously granted to states for spending COVID-19 relief funds. On March 29, 2025, McMahon informed state education chiefs that the deadline to spend all remaining funds had passed that same day at 5 p.m. EST. This decision primarily affects the last round of COVID relief funding, approximately $130 billion approved by Congress in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
McMahon's letter stated that the additional time "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." She argued that extending deadlines for COVID-related grants years after the pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities. This sudden reversal has left many states and school districts scrambling, as they had planned projects and services based on the previously granted extensions.
The Council of Chief State School Officers expressed deep concern over the department's action, stating that it creates new barriers and will negatively impact students across the country. They urged the Department to restore the previously agreed-upon liquidation period to ensure continuity of services for students.
This decision comes in the wake of McMahon's confirmation as Education Secretary earlier this month, where she pledged to carry out President Donald Trump's vision of dismantling the Department of Education. In her first days on the job, McMahon outlined what she called the department's "final mission," which involves a "historic overhaul" that will significantly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations.
McMahon's plans align closely with Trump's campaign proposals for education reform, including an expansion of school voucher programs and restrictions on discussing certain topics like race, sex, gender, and diversity in K-12 classrooms and higher education. The administration has already taken steps to cut federal funding to schools that teach certain topics related to these issues.
In another contentious move, McMahon announced that the Department of Education is investigating two state education departments - California and Maine - over policies concerning how schools disclose changes to students' gender identities to their parents. McMahon warned educators that the Trump administration would make a "revitalized effort" to enforce the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in a way that guarantees parents' access to information about their children's gender identity at school.
These actions by Secretary McMahon have ignited fierce debate among educators, policymakers, and parents. Supporters argue that these changes will empower parents and states in educational decision-making, while critics warn of potential harm to vulnerable students and the erosion of federal protections for education.
As the Department of Education undergoes this significant transformation under McMahon's leadership, the impact on American education remains to be seen. The coming months are likely to bring further changes and challenges as the administration pursues its goal of fundamentally altering the federal role in education.
McMahon's letter stated that the additional time "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." She argued that extending deadlines for COVID-related grants years after the pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities. This sudden reversal has left many states and school districts scrambling, as they had planned projects and services based on the previously granted extensions.
The Council of Chief State School Officers expressed deep concern over the department's action, stating that it creates new barriers and will negatively impact students across the country. They urged the Department to restore the previously agreed-upon liquidation period to ensure continuity of services for students.
This decision comes in the wake of McMahon's confirmation as Education Secretary earlier this month, where she pledged to carry out President Donald Trump's vision of dismantling the Department of Education. In her first days on the job, McMahon outlined what she called the department's "final mission," which involves a "historic overhaul" that will significantly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations.
McMahon's plans align closely with Trump's campaign proposals for education reform, including an expansion of school voucher programs and restrictions on discussing certain topics like race, sex, gender, and diversity in K-12 classrooms and higher education. The administration has already taken steps to cut federal funding to schools that teach certain topics related to these issues.
In another contentious move, McMahon announced that the Department of Education is investigating two state education departments - California and Maine - over policies concerning how schools disclose changes to students' gender identities to their parents. McMahon warned educators that the Trump administration would make a "revitalized effort" to enforce the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in a way that guarantees parents' access to information about their children's gender identity at school.
These actions by Secretary McMahon have ignited fierce debate among educators, policymakers, and parents. Supporters argue that these changes will empower parents and states in educational decision-making, while critics warn of potential harm to vulnerable students and the erosion of federal protections for education.
As the Department of Education undergoes this significant transformation under McMahon's leadership, the impact on American education remains to be seen. The coming months are likely to bring further changes and challenges as the administration pursues its goal of fundamentally altering the federal role in education.
- Broadcast on:
- 30 Mar 2025
In a controversial move, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has abruptly canceled extensions previously granted to states for spending COVID-19 relief funds. On March 29, 2025, McMahon informed state education chiefs that the deadline to spend all remaining funds had passed that same day at 5 p.m. EST. This decision primarily affects the last round of COVID relief funding, approximately $130 billion approved by Congress in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
McMahon's letter stated that the additional time "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." She argued that extending deadlines for COVID-related grants years after the pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities. This sudden reversal has left many states and school districts scrambling, as they had planned projects and services based on the previously granted extensions.
The Council of Chief State School Officers expressed deep concern over the department's action, stating that it creates new barriers and will negatively impact students across the country. They urged the Department to restore the previously agreed-upon liquidation period to ensure continuity of services for students.
This decision comes in the wake of McMahon's confirmation as Education Secretary earlier this month, where she pledged to carry out President Donald Trump's vision of dismantling the Department of Education. In her first days on the job, McMahon outlined what she called the department's "final mission," which involves a "historic overhaul" that will significantly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations.
McMahon's plans align closely with Trump's campaign proposals for education reform, including an expansion of school voucher programs and restrictions on discussing certain topics like race, sex, gender, and diversity in K-12 classrooms and higher education. The administration has already taken steps to cut federal funding to schools that teach certain topics related to these issues.
In another contentious move, McMahon announced that the Department of Education is investigating two state education departments - California and Maine - over policies concerning how schools disclose changes to students' gender identities to their parents. McMahon warned educators that the Trump administration would make a "revitalized effort" to enforce the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in a way that guarantees parents' access to information about their children's gender identity at school.
These actions by Secretary McMahon have ignited fierce debate among educators, policymakers, and parents. Supporters argue that these changes will empower parents and states in educational decision-making, while critics warn of potential harm to vulnerable students and the erosion of federal protections for education.
As the Department of Education undergoes this significant transformation under McMahon's leadership, the impact on American education remains to be seen. The coming months are likely to bring further changes and challenges as the administration pursues its goal of fundamentally altering the federal role in education.
McMahon's letter stated that the additional time "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." She argued that extending deadlines for COVID-related grants years after the pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities. This sudden reversal has left many states and school districts scrambling, as they had planned projects and services based on the previously granted extensions.
The Council of Chief State School Officers expressed deep concern over the department's action, stating that it creates new barriers and will negatively impact students across the country. They urged the Department to restore the previously agreed-upon liquidation period to ensure continuity of services for students.
This decision comes in the wake of McMahon's confirmation as Education Secretary earlier this month, where she pledged to carry out President Donald Trump's vision of dismantling the Department of Education. In her first days on the job, McMahon outlined what she called the department's "final mission," which involves a "historic overhaul" that will significantly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations.
McMahon's plans align closely with Trump's campaign proposals for education reform, including an expansion of school voucher programs and restrictions on discussing certain topics like race, sex, gender, and diversity in K-12 classrooms and higher education. The administration has already taken steps to cut federal funding to schools that teach certain topics related to these issues.
In another contentious move, McMahon announced that the Department of Education is investigating two state education departments - California and Maine - over policies concerning how schools disclose changes to students' gender identities to their parents. McMahon warned educators that the Trump administration would make a "revitalized effort" to enforce the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in a way that guarantees parents' access to information about their children's gender identity at school.
These actions by Secretary McMahon have ignited fierce debate among educators, policymakers, and parents. Supporters argue that these changes will empower parents and states in educational decision-making, while critics warn of potential harm to vulnerable students and the erosion of federal protections for education.
As the Department of Education undergoes this significant transformation under McMahon's leadership, the impact on American education remains to be seen. The coming months are likely to bring further changes and challenges as the administration pursues its goal of fundamentally altering the federal role in education.