Education Secretary Linda McMahon is initiating a tour across four states to advocate for the Trump administration’s strategy to return education control to local communities. This campaign, titled “The Next 250: American Education,” is designed to project her vision for the next 250 years in American education. It underscores the administration’s push to downsize federal involvement in education.
McMahon revealed to Fox News Digital that the tour is an opportunity to showcase the changes implemented over the past 21 months. “The Next 250: American Education” speaking series will allow her to outline the accomplishments and future plans for American students and families.
The tour begins Tuesday in Utah, where McMahon will highlight K-12 education reforms. Her keynote address will focus on three themes: transferring education control to states, investing in transformative learning, and increasing educational freedom for students and families.
“Our decisions prioritize the essential goal of nurturing children’s potential,” McMahon stated. “We refuse to expand governmental power or ideological ambitions.”
After her Utah stop, McMahon will visit Nevada, Arizona, and Tennessee. These visits will address workforce training, Pell Grants for community colleges, and the rising cost of higher education.
This tour is part of the broader “Returning Education to the States” initiative, emphasizing transferring administrative authority to local leaders. This decision follows the revelation that only 30% of American students are proficient in math and reading, despite $3 trillion spent on federal education efforts.
An ED spokesperson commented, “Our investment has not yielded acceptable student performance. This is why we must return control to states and empower parents.”
The Trump administration has also promoted educational flexibility and school choice. A notable initiative is the Education Freedom Tax Credit, effective January 1, 2027. This policy allows taxpayers a federal tax credit for scholarship contributions, supporting educational choices.
This initiative aligns with a new agreement between the Department of Education and the Treasury Department, shifting student lending operations to Treasury. This move is part of a plan to downsize the Department of Education.
“As a parent and grandparent, I understand education’s significance,” McMahon said. “The Trump administration is empowering families, not bureaucrats, to play a central role in children’s education.”
The tour will conclude later this month in Tennessee, where McMahon will discuss public trust, administrative oversight, and academic standards in higher education. The Department of Education confirms these efforts aim to enhance its effectiveness in supporting local education initiatives.
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