Open Access Government highlights the mission of the U.S. Department of Education, emphasizing the priorities of Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to enhance the U.S. education system
On 11th March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education reduced force (RIF) that affected nearly 50% of its workforce as part of its final mission. Employees impacted by this decision were placed on administrative leave starting 21st March. Per regulatory requirements and the Department’s collective bargaining agreement, all affected employees receive full pay and benefits until 9th June. They will also be eligible for substantial severance packages or retirement benefits based on their length of service.
Despite this reduction, the Department of Education will continue to provide all statutory programs within its scope, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking. The reduction will affect all divisions within the Department, some of which will require significant reorganization to serve students, parents, educators, and taxpayers better.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the reduction in force reflects the Department’s commitment to efficiency and accountability, ensuring resources are directed to students, parents, and teachers. When President Trump was inaugurated, the workforce was 4,133 employees. Following this reduction, it will total about 2,183, including nearly 600 who accepted voluntary resignation or retirement.
“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system,” Secretary McMahon said. (1)
Education priorities: Improving the U.S. education system
On 3rd March 2025, the United States Senate confirmed Linda McMahon as the 13th Secretary of Education. In her confirmation statement, Secretary McMahon expressed her readiness to lead the Department during this transformational period and tackle the challenge of improving the education system for over 100 million children and college students who deserve better opportunities. She emphasized that education is a critical issue that influences national success and equips American workers to thrive in the future.
“Every decision made at the Department will be driven by a commitment to support meaningful learning and empower our most important stakeholders: students, families, and teachers. The Department will be focused on advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems. We will empower states and districts to have more say in what is working on the ground for students instead of bureaucratic edicts from Washington, D.C.
“President Trump pledged to make American education the best in the world, return education to the states where it belongs, and free American students from the education bureaucracy through school choice. I intend to make good on that promise.” (2)
The U.S. Department of Education’s bold mission
Secretary McMahon stated that her vision aligns with the President’s goal of returning education to the states and empowering parents to choose the best education for their children. As a mother, grandmother, and former educator, she believes parents are the most qualified to make educational decisions.
She asserts that American education can be the best in the world, free from political ideologies and unjust discrimination. After President Trump’s inauguration, he signed executive orders addressing critical race theory, promoting school choice, and restoring patriotic education. McMahon emphasizes the need to eliminate waste and federal overreach, advocating for a system that upholds state oversight in education. She describes in detail the impacts of these changes.
“This restoration will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department. In coming months, we will partner with Congress and other federal agencies to determine the best path forward to fulfill the expectations of the President and the American people. We will eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy so that our colleges, K-12 schools, students, and teachers can innovate and thrive.
“This review of our programs is long overdue. The Department of Education is not working as intended. Since its establishment in 1980, taxpayers have entrusted the department with over $1 trillion, yet student outcomes have consistently languished. Millions of young Americans are trapped in failing schools, subjected to radical anti-American ideology, or saddled with college debt for a degree that has not provided a meaningful return on their investment. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves after just a few years – and citing red tape as one of their primary reasons.”
Secretary McMahon underscores the Department’s need for a significant overhaul, viewing it as a final chance to restore the culture of excellence and liberty in American education. While change can be daunting, all staff should welcome improvements that benefit students. Though transformation takes time, the Department’s vision for American education remains positive.
The Department’s key education priorities and beliefs are:
- Parents should be the primary decision-makers in their children’s education.
- Taxpayer-funded education must focus on meaningful learning in math, reading, science, and history rather than gender ideology and divisive DEI programs.
- Post-secondary education should prepare students for well-paying careers that meet workforce demands.
Eliminating red tape and bureaucratic obstacles will empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children. Effectively transferring educational oversight to the states will give local communities greater autonomy. Secretary McMahon notes that teachers will also benefit from reduced micromanagement in the classroom, allowing them to focus on the basics.
The last words in this editorial should go to Secretary McMahon from her closing words on the Department’s bold mission, which gives hope for the future.
“The elimination of bureaucracy should free us, not limit us, in our pursuit of these goals. I want to invite all employees to join us in this historic final mission on behalf of all students, with the same dedication and excellence that you have brought to your careers as public servants.
“This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students. I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete, we will all be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future.” (3)
