McMahon embarks on four-state tour to put local leaders and parents 'back into the driver’s seat' of education
The tour follows President Donald Trump's recent back-to-school event at the White House, where he promoted school choice initiatives alongside McMahon, students, parents, and educators in the Rose Garden. During the event, Trump argued that despite massive federal spending, student performance remains unacceptable and families require more educational flexibility. He also pledged to eliminate "far-left extremism" from classrooms.
As part of that push, the administration highlighted the upcoming Education Freedom Tax Credit. Scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, the program will allow individual taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 — and up to $3,400 for married couples filing jointly — for cash contributions made to approved scholarship-granting organizations.
ARKANSAS STUDENTS OUTPERFORM NATIONAL AVERAGE AFTER UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION, GOVERNOR SAYS
The policy effort aligns with a recent interagency agreement between the Department of Education and the Department of the Treasury. Agency officials described the pact as a milestone step toward winding down the Department of Education.
Under the agreement, student lending operations will shift to the Treasury Department, which will take over operational responsibility for defaulted federal student loan collection and support efforts to help borrowers return to repayment. This marks one of nearly ten interagency partnerships finalized over the past year as ED seeks to downsize and transfer programs to other executive branch departments.
"As a mother and grandmother, I know firsthand that we only get one opportunity to educate and help our children reach their full God-given potential. That is exactly why the Trump administration is returning education to the states and ushering in the largest expansion of education freedom in American history," McMahon said. "This tour has reached millions of families across our great nation, emphasizing the vital role parents play in their child’s life — not bureaucrats in Washington."
McMahon has consistently maintained that the agency functions primarily as a "pass-through" for federal grants rather than a governing body over local curricula, noting that the agency's role under federal law is frequently misunderstood.
Later this month, McMahon will conclude her tour in Tennessee, delivering a keynote focused on rebuilding public trust, addressing administrative oversight, and reviving academic standards in higher education, ED officials confirmed.
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