Department of Education’s New Toolkit Initiative
WASHINGTON – The Department of Education is taking steps to stay relevant, even as discussions around the complete dismantling of the agency continue. They are exploring the possibility of putting together a “toolkit” aimed at helping educators improve student achievement.
This isn’t an official mandate but rather a collection of recommendations featuring effective strategies in areas like reading, AI, and classroom management, already being utilized in various schools nationwide.
“My aim is to compile a toolkit that can be shared with states. It will showcase what works and how to implement it,” McMahon explained.
The toolkit will also include contact information for educators known for their successful approaches.
Under President Trump, the administration’s stance has shifted, as many government entities have undergone significant changes. There’s a focus on minimizing federal oversight regarding educational practices.
Despite these changes, McMahon emphasized a federal commitment to fostering a culture of “excellence” among future generations.
Although test scores saw a significant rise after the Covid-19 pandemic, recovery for fourth and eighth graders had not yet occurred by 2022, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
The Trump administration has also expressed concerns regarding the current curriculum in schools, particularly relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender issues.
McMahon, while visiting various schools to share diverse teaching methods, believes the toolkit represents a constructive effort from the department.
The Science of Reading
Particularly, McMahon is keen on promoting the “science of reading,” advocating for early reading education.
“What I believe is essential is to highlight programs that are effective, including references to the best implementations,” she noted.
She claimed that traditional teaching methods in subjects like reading, math, and science have seen success in states such as Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.
“There’s definitely a noticeable resurgence of traditional learning methods,” she remarked.
Reflecting on past initiatives, she acknowledged that while many had good intentions, they ultimately failed to deliver desired outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence in Education
On the topic of artificial intelligence, McMahon referenced an initiative led by First Lady Melania Trump, which encourages students to present their AI projects at the White House, showcasing governmental support for tech literacy.
Still, she cautioned that guidelines may be necessary to counteract potential misuse, such as inappropriate use of tools like Chat GPT for assignments.
“These advancements offer many positives, but there are drawbacks that need to be addressed,” McMahon added.
Classroom Safety and Discipline
McMahon believes discussions about discipline and safety in classrooms are lacking.
She thinks that discipline has declined in recent years, and many educators feel they lack control within their classrooms.
She dismissed a previous policy that discouraged reporting misconduct and insisted, “There needs to be a way to address disruptive behavior to ensure other students can learn.”
She believes this issue is often neglected and that teachers should be empowered to maintain control.
Though there’s currently no mandate for school safety improvements, there seems to be a growing awareness among school boards about this issue.
The Road Ahead
McMahon asserts that the best way for the federal government to foster an “excellence” culture is to ensure that students are admitted to schools based on merit rather than diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
“Let’s focus on merit,” she suggested. “This isn’t just about college admissions but ensuring that all programs encourage students to recognize and develop their abilities.”
The administration is currently in disputes with several Ivy League universities regarding their curriculum and hiring practices. Critics argue that a lot of mentoring promotes liberal ideas, leading to employment decisions influenced by DEI guidelines.
Moreover, McMahon believes that states will begin competing for educational excellence due to governors aiming to implement the best strategies for school improvements.
She is hopeful that the new toolkit will help initiate this competition.
School choice is another area of emphasis for Trump. McMahon stated, “The president strongly supports parental involvement and how they choose their children’s schools.”
“No student should feel trapped in a failing school, especially one that may feel unsafe,” she explained. “Parents must have the ability to select a different school if needed. With an increase in parental engagement, many of these policies could see a meaningful shift.”
