Latest news with #HouseEducationandWorkforceCommittee
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘The power belongs to the parents': Rep. Owens, Education chief back school choice and parental rights
During a House Education and Workforce Committee meeting Wednesday, focused on the policies and priorities of the Department of Education, the department's chief, Linda McMahon, doubled down on the Trump administration's stance to reduce federal involvement in education and to increase spending on school choice. 'We seek to shrink federal bureaucracy, save taxpayer money and empower states who best know their local needs to manage their education in this country,' she said in her opening statement. In the few months McMahon has been in her role, she said there have been many conversations with local leaders, teachers and parents around the United States asking for 'accountability and more local control,' she said, and 'That's our goal, to give parents access to the quality education their kids deserve, to fix the broken higher education industry that has misled students into degrees that don't pay off, and to create safe learning environments.' During the hearing, McMahon also said she would hold college institutions accountable by requiring them to 'have a little skin in the game relative to the loans that are made when these colleges and universities set their fees.' McMahon noted that most college campuses lack viewpoint diversity, with more progressive professors compared to conservatives. She also addressed civil rights violations, specifically antisemitic actions against Jewish faculty and students on some of America's most prestigious campuses. 'One of President Trump's campaign promises was that he was not going to tolerate antisemitic attacks on college campuses and universities, and he's clearly fulfilling that promise,' she said, adding that along with Harvard and Columbia, the administration is investigating civil rights violations at about 60 other universities. Many lawmakers are upset with the Trump administration's handling of the Department of Education, specifically McMahon's negative opinions of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and practices, as well as the deep cuts to staff and funds the administration is making at the federal level. During the hearing, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens said that McMahon's role 'represent(s) the end of accepting failure as an option' by being in favor of school choice and going after the 'scourge of DEI in our educational institutions.' Owens asked her to explain how dissolving DEI in education is important in terms of student's civil rights. Owens said he believes the education system that's been in place for decades is not benefiting young people, and the decline in test scores is proof of that. 'The power belongs to the parents, and we're going to start producing the smartest, wisest and most hopeful students in the history of mankind,' he said. McMahon responded that DEI 'did more, I think, to separate and to provide more segregation ideas, because it pitted an oppressor versus oppressed ideology,' and that it goes against 'everything we've been trying to accomplish in our country over the years, so that everyone really has equal access, equal opportunity under law.' In response, Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., said the administration's removal of DEI practices 'has undoubtedly revived the culture of racism we haven't seen since the Jim Crow era.' 'It's reminiscent of the suppression of abolitionist newspapers, and this department's financial aid policies harken back to a time when higher education was reserved for affluent, well-connected, and predominantly white students,' Lee added. McMahon responded by saying that studies specific to cultures, like African or Asian studies, are not under the DEI umbrella, 'if they are taught as part of the total history package.' Following the hearing and in response to Lee's comments, Owens told the Deseret News that, 'They (Democrats) like to fear monger.' 'We're the ones that are trying to look after all our kids. (Democrats have) proven over the last 50 years, they have no idea, and they don't care,' he said. 'So let's ... put her comments to the side, because we're now working to (support) all our kids so that they can live the American dream.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Education Secretary Defends Hiring Holocaust Deniers at Harvard
Education Secretary Linda McMahon wants the modern American canon to include alternative histories of some of the world's most egregious tragedies. Speaking before the House Education and Workforce Committee Wednesday amid the White House's efforts to dismantle her agency, McMahon claimed that the Trump administration's treatment of Harvard University—which includes orders for the university to introduce conservative viewpoints into its curriculum—has been fair. 'You're saying Harvard can have its funding and its international students back if and when it teaches what the Trump administration demands,' said California Representative Mark Takano, citing an April 11 letter from the DoEd which effectively ransomed the university's federal funding until Harvard abolished 'all criteria, preferences, and practices … that function as ideological litmus tests.' 'Does refusing to hire a Holocaust denier as a member of Harvard's history department faculty count as an ideological litmus test?' asked Takano. 'I believe that there should be diversity of viewpoints relative to teachings and opinions on campuses,' McMahon said. 'But what about this situation…. Would being a Holocaust denier count as that?' Takano continued. But McMahon deflected answering the question directly, pointing instead to Harvard's decision to fire the leaders of its center for Middle Eastern studies. Takano also pressed McMahon on whether the ordinance would compel Harvard to hire faculty that reject the results of the 2020 presidential election or the efficacy of vaccines. In response, the education secretary insisted that there 'should be different viewpoints' in America's most elite universities—even if those viewpoints are not based in any matter of science, fact, or proof. McMahon also scolded Takano for impressing a 'political ideology' that she argued was a 'false narrative.' Pennsylvania Representative Summer Lee also torched McMahon for using the Education Department to introduce dangerous and unfounded ideas into American history, asking the former professional wrestling promoter to explain what 'both sides' of African-American history would be. 'During your confirmation hearing you were asked by Senator Chris Murphy if an African-American history class violated the administration's position on diversity, equity, and inclusion. You said you would look into it,' said Lee. 'Have you looked into it?''I do not think that African studies or Middle East studies or Chinese studies are part of DEI—if they are taught as the total history package,' responded McMahon. 'So that if you're giving the facts on both sides, of course they're not DEI.' 'I don't know what both sides of African-American history would be,' Lee said. 'Well if African American history is part of—' McMahon started, before Lee interjected to argue that it would be impossible to teach the whole of history in singular semesters. 'Do you not agree that it makes sense that there would be separate courses for these courses of study?' Lee said, pointing out that the same teaching philosophy exists across areas of study, from literature to music. 'One wouldn't study baroque music and necessarily have to learn about African studies at the same time.' McMahon eventually conceded that she agreed African history could be taught as an isolated area of study without being considered a 'DEI course.' Trump signed an executive order to strip the Education Department for parts in March. The order had McMahon's approval. The agency has historically been responsible for approving, monitoring, and distributing federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and other aid made available to the public via the FAFSA. It's also been responsible for assessing and analyzing America's K-12 systems, as well as aggregating data and research on American educational policies. The department also oversaw the implementation of Title IX, and ensured that the American public had equal access to a valuable education. In the immediate wake of the order, McMahon penned the mass layoff of more than half the agency's staff. The Education Department was already the smallest Cabinet agency, with just over 4,000 employees. Its budget cost American taxpayers $268 billion in 2024, roughly four percent of overall spending.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Education Secretary Linda McMahon refuses to say if teaching kids that Trump lost in 2020 is ‘illegal DEI'
Donald Trump's education secretary has refused to say if she believes school curricula that correctly state Joe Biden won the 2020 election amount to 'illegal DEI.' Secretary Linda McMahon instead repeatedly told House lawmakers on Wednesday that social studies 'should all be taught accurately' and that 'we should hear all sides.' During a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing, Democratic Rep. Summer Lee, of Pennsylvania, repeatedly asked McMahon whether she believes certain lesson plans constitute 'illegal DEI' — referring to the Trump administration's threat to withhold federal funding to schools it believes are engaged in 'illegal DEI practices.' In a heated back and forth, Lee pressed McMahon to say whether curriculum on the 2020 election and African-American history lessons on the Tulsa race massacre and civil rights activist Ruby Bridges are considered 'illegal' diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. McMahon said she would 'look into' them. Asked whether she even knows who and what those people and events are, McMahon fumbled for answers. 'Do you know what the Tulsa race massacre is?' asked Lee, referencing a white mob's bloody destruction of a bustling Black town in Oklahoma in 1921. 'I'd like to look into it more,' McMahon said. 'How about the book Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges?' Lee asked. McMahon said she hasn't read it. 'Have you learned about Ruby Bridges?' said Lee, referring to the first Black child to enter an all-white school in the South during desegregation efforts in 1960. 'If you have specific examples—,' McMahon replied. 'That was an incredibly specific example,' Lee fired back. The congresswoman then asked whether social studies standards that teach that Biden won the 2020 presidential election would also be considered 'illegal DEI.' McMahon said social studies 'should all be taught accurately.' Lee demanded a 'yes or no' answer. McMahon repeated her reply. 'I think I have said we should teach accurately,' she said. 'We should hear all sides.' Lee's questions follow newly established curriculum standards in Oklahoma, where the state's controversial schools superintendent ushered through sweeping changes that introduce 2020 election conspiracy theories into school curriculums. Students will be required to 'identify discrepancies' in the 2020 presidential election, appearing to amplify Trump's baseless narrative that the election was fraudulent. Students will also learn about 'the security risks of mail-in balloting, sudden batch dumps' and 'an unforeseen record number of voters,' appearing to repeat unsupported claims that bolster conspiracy theories surrounding election results. McMahon is appearing before members of Congress this week to present a budget for a department that the president wants to eliminate entirely. The White House wants to reduce the department's budget by 15 percent in 2026, targeting a range of programs supporting K-12 students and higher education. Advocacy groups fear the cuts will be particularly devastating to students from lower-income families and in rural areas, and 'ultimately harm schools and the students they serve,' according to the School Superintendents Association.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Watch live: McMahon testifies on Education Department priorities
Education Secretary Linda McMahon will face questions from the House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday morning about the Education Department's priorities amid President Trump's efforts to shutter it. McMahon, who has testified recently before the House and Senate on the administration's fiscal 2026 budget, has openly supported Trump's plan to dismantle her department. Earlier this year, the Education chief announced mass layoffs, which sparked intense backlash and some legal action. The full closure of the department will require Congressional approval. Wednesday's event is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. EDT. Watch the live video above.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Opinion: Utah leads because our teachers lead
Every time I visit a school in Utah, from elementary classrooms to college lecture halls, I'm reminded of how lucky we are to live in a state that values high-quality education, invests in the next generation and puts our students first. Utah's education system is a model for the nation. We lead in innovation and academic outcomes. Our students are taught not only to read, write and think critically, but also to find their passion, gain confidence in themselves and reach for the stars. This legacy starts and ends with our remarkable educators — the men and women who show up early, stay late and work hard each and every day with dedication and compassion to guide, support and shape students both in and out of the classroom. Behind every Utah success story is a great teacher. I have a passion for education because of my parents. Growing up, I saw firsthand the positive impact teachers have on their students. My dad, a professor at Florida A&M University, and my mom, also an educator, devoted their lives to helping others learn. As a kid, I spent summers in my dad's biology lab, watching his enthusiasm as his students discovered their passion. I saw personally the power a great teacher has to change lives. As a dad, I wanted the best possible education for my six kids. It was my dream for them all to attend college in Utah, because I knew then what I know now: in Utah, we want our children and our education system to lead the world. And the numbers prove it. The Beehive State has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the nation. Utah students consistently outperform national averages on critical benchmarks like the Nation's Report Card, from 4th-grade math to 8th-grade reading proficiency scores. As a state, we are driven to keep improving, and teachers are on the front lines of that mission every day, but they're facing growing challenges. Whether it's navigating new technologies, ensuring students stay motivated and engaged, adapting to diverse learning needs, or closing the achievement gaps after a disruptive pandemic, teachers carry a heavy workload. That's why I believe we must do more than celebrate educators for one week a year — we must empower them. On the House Education and Workforce Committee, I'm working every day with my colleagues and my team to support our teachers and return freedom and merit to our classrooms so these professionals can focus on what matters most: helping students learn. From getting rid of the federal government's micromanagement, restoring local control, to ensuring classrooms are safe and supportive environments where both teachers and students can thrive, you have my full and total support. To our teachers: thank you for being the heart of our education system. It's because of your creativity, innovation and unwavering commitment that Utah's students are smart, resilient and prepared to take on whatever dreams they desire. This National Teacher Appreciation Week, and every week, we are so proud to recognize your talent and service to our state's students and their futures. It's because of you that the next small business owner, health care professional, law enforcement officer, public servant and all future leaders will be ready to rise, serve and thrive. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your work matters, your impact on these kids lasts a lifetime, and your dedication will continue to shape our state and our nation for generations to come.
