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Education Dept's 'Final Mission': Dismantling or Reform?
- 2025/03/05
- 再生時間： 3 分
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Welcome to this week's Education Department update. The big headline: Secretary Linda McMahon has unveiled what she calls the department's "final mission," signaling a potential dismantling of the agency under the Trump administration. McMahon outlined plans for a sweeping overhaul that will impact personnel, funding, and operations.
In a memo posted on the department's website, McMahon emphasized "Parents as the primary decision-makers in children's education" and stated that taxpayer-funded education should focus on core subjects like math and reading rather than what she termed "divisive DEI programs and gender ideology."
This aligns with President Trump's campaign promises on education reform, including expanding school voucher programs to give parents more control over their children's schooling. The administration is also working to limit discussions on sensitive topics like race and gender in both K-12 and higher education.
The department has given employees until midnight tonight to accept a buyout offer of up to $25,000, ahead of expected widespread layoffs. This comes as the Senate prepares to vote on McMahon's nomination.
During her confirmation hearing, McMahon said, "I am really all for the president's mission, which is to return education to the states." Democratic lawmakers have criticized these efforts to reduce the agency's size and cut various education programs.
In other news, the department announced improvements to the FAFSA form for the 2026-27 academic year. Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron stated, "Resolving ongoing problems with the 2024-25 form, reflecting biological reality by referencing sex identifiers, and beginning the process for the 2026-27 form on-time will allow the Department to earn back the trust of the American people."
The department is removing "nonbinary" as a gender identification option from the current year's FAFSA form, stating it will "rightfully reflect the biological reality that there are only two sexes: male and female."
These changes could significantly impact students, families, and educational institutions across the country. Critics argue they may limit access to education and roll back protections for marginalized groups, while supporters say they'll increase parental rights and focus on core academic subjects.
Looking ahead, we're expecting an executive order from President Trump directing Secretary McMahon to further reduce the size of the Education Department and work with Congress on legislation to abolish it entirely. The public has 60 days to suggest improvements to the 2026-27 FAFSA form via the Federal Register.
For more information on these developments and how they might affect you, visit the Department of Education's website. If you want to make your voice heard on these issues, contact your representatives in Congress or participate in the FAFSA public comment period. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation continues to evolve.
In a memo posted on the department's website, McMahon emphasized "Parents as the primary decision-makers in children's education" and stated that taxpayer-funded education should focus on core subjects like math and reading rather than what she termed "divisive DEI programs and gender ideology."
This aligns with President Trump's campaign promises on education reform, including expanding school voucher programs to give parents more control over their children's schooling. The administration is also working to limit discussions on sensitive topics like race and gender in both K-12 and higher education.
The department has given employees until midnight tonight to accept a buyout offer of up to $25,000, ahead of expected widespread layoffs. This comes as the Senate prepares to vote on McMahon's nomination.
During her confirmation hearing, McMahon said, "I am really all for the president's mission, which is to return education to the states." Democratic lawmakers have criticized these efforts to reduce the agency's size and cut various education programs.
In other news, the department announced improvements to the FAFSA form for the 2026-27 academic year. Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron stated, "Resolving ongoing problems with the 2024-25 form, reflecting biological reality by referencing sex identifiers, and beginning the process for the 2026-27 form on-time will allow the Department to earn back the trust of the American people."
The department is removing "nonbinary" as a gender identification option from the current year's FAFSA form, stating it will "rightfully reflect the biological reality that there are only two sexes: male and female."
These changes could significantly impact students, families, and educational institutions across the country. Critics argue they may limit access to education and roll back protections for marginalized groups, while supporters say they'll increase parental rights and focus on core academic subjects.
Looking ahead, we're expecting an executive order from President Trump directing Secretary McMahon to further reduce the size of the Education Department and work with Congress on legislation to abolish it entirely. The public has 60 days to suggest improvements to the 2026-27 FAFSA form via the Federal Register.
For more information on these developments and how they might affect you, visit the Department of Education's website. If you want to make your voice heard on these issues, contact your representatives in Congress or participate in the FAFSA public comment period. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation continues to evolve.