Key Points
- U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Michigan as part of her 50-state “Returning Education to the States” tour.
- She promoted reducing the federal role in education and emphasized school choice.
- The visit comes amid Michigan’s delayed state budget negotiations, raising concerns about funding for public schools.
- Charter schools were highlighted as examples of innovation, though critics say federal involvement remains politically charged.
- Education leaders stressed balancing state-level flexibility with adequate funding for students.
Federal Role and School Choice Emphasis
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon brought her “Returning Education to the States” tour to Michigan this week, underscoring her push to scale back federal oversight while promoting school choice. Her visit included stops at Hillsdale College, Pembroke Academy, and Renaissance High School, with some events closed to the media.
At Pembroke Academy, a Detroit charter school recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, McMahon toured classrooms and joined a roundtable with school leaders and lawmakers.
She stressed that the federal government should remain a limited player in education. “We don’t set curriculum, we don’t hire teachers, we don’t buy books,” McMahon said. “Returning to the states really means giving the responsibility for education back to the states.”
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Charter Schools as Models of Innovation
McMahon praised charter schools’ tailored teaching methods, calling them innovative models for other states. Pembroke principal Salwa Kinsey echoed that message, noting that the school’s individualized approach “allows students to thrive and gives parents the ability to be an active participant in their child’s education.”
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, who joined the roundtable, said lawmakers are working to provide flexibility for local districts. However, Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh criticized House Republicans for prioritizing political messaging over urgent budget talks.
Budget Uncertainty and Local Concerns
The visit came as Michigan lawmakers continue to negotiate a $78.5 billion budget, delayed since July 1. Without a deal before Oct. 1, schools face uncertainty about funding for programs such as universal meals. Kinsey acknowledged her team is preparing contingency plans, ensuring students remain unaffected despite limited staffing.
While McMahon pledged a hands-off federal approach, her department has intervened in funding and oversight issues in the past, including freezing $6 billion in education funding earlier this summer.
For Michigan schools, which rely heavily on state allocations, both the secretary’s tour and the looming budget deadline highlight the delicate balance between autonomy and adequate support.
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