What Linda McMahon gets wrong about American education.

The narrative that federal control caused American education’s decline oversimplifies decades of progress and setbacks.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently argued that increased federal involvement diminished U.S. schooling quality, advocating for the Department of Education’s elimination. However, historical data and expert analysis reveal a more complex picture, showing federal laws since the 1960s significantly expanded access and equity in education.

Federal initiatives like Title I of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title IX in 1972, and the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act played critical roles in broadening educational opportunities. By the 1960s, most students completed high school, and by the 2010s, high school completion and college attendance had grown alongside improved math scores. Although test scores stagnated and fell during the pandemic, federal policies eased pressure on underperforming schools after 2015. Education Department spokesperson Sabin Sidney stated that dismantling federal overreach could lead to an American education renaissance.

McMahon has promised to protect foundational federal education laws even as she seeks to dismantle the Department of Education.

Montana educators and policymakers might consider this debate carefully. Shifts in federal education policy could affect funding flows and equity initiatives critical to Montana’s diverse communities, highlighting the importance of balancing local control with federal support.

Was American education ever great? What Linda McMahon gets wrong about the past
By Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat