McMahon calls for 'reset' of education after US spent $3 trillion and still saw reading scores decline

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has called for a 'reset' of public education in the United States after decades of spending $3 trillion while national reading scores have consistently declined. The Trump administration is highlighting this disconnect as it pushes for significant changes to the nation's education system.

McMahon made these remarks during a visit to Utah on Tuesday, where she delivered a speech titled 'The Next 250: K-12 Education' at American Preparatory Academy in West Valley City. The event marked the 47th stop on the department's 50-state tour aimed at decentralizing federal education authority.

Decentralization Push

The secretary emphasized returning education authority to the states, investing in proven academic interventions, and expanding school choice for families. 'In every decision we make, we are not asking what's better for growing government power, ideological agendas, or bureaucrats' careers,' McMahon told the crowd. 'We are returning education to its most basic obligation: to nurture the God-given potential of our children.'

Parental Involvement

McMahon highlighted increased parental involvement in education during the pandemic as a positive development. 'Parents, for the first time, could see what was going on with education, with the curriculum that was being taught to their children,' she said. 'They became involved, they became concerned, and they started going to school board meetings.'

The administration's approach aligns with President Trump's broader education initiative, which he highlighted at a White House Rose Garden event promoting school choice. Trump also pledged to eliminate 'far-left extremism' from classrooms and argued that federal education spending has failed to deliver acceptable academic results.

Department Restructuring

McMahon has pledged to work toward dismantling the federal Department of Education, including hiring leaders tasked with phasing out their own offices. As part of this effort, the department has announced an interagency agreement with the Treasury Department to transfer certain responsibilities for managing federal student loans.

The student loan transfer is one of nine interagency partnerships designed to serve as a 'proof of concept' for Congress. 'I've asked Congress, with this proof of concept and these interagency agreements: Let me prove to you that it works,' McMahon said. 'I know, ultimately, Congress has to vote if we do close the Department of Education and if I, in fact, am able to fire myself.'

Following her Utah visit, McMahon's four-part speaking series will continue with upcoming stops in Nevada, Arizona, and Tennessee to address rising higher education costs and workforce Pell grants. Her final keynote in Tennessee later this month will focus on restoring accountability and standards in higher education.