SALT LAKE CITY

Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently remarked that the U.S. public education system is in need of a “reset.” This comes after the country has reportedly spent around $3 trillion over several decades, all while national reading scores continue to drop. In her conversation with Fox News Digital, McMahon stated, “We’ve spent this $3 trillion that you referenced, and we’ve watched scores continue to come down. So we’re doing something wrong. We need to reset.”

She emphasized that, along with the president, she believes the best education is the one closest to the child and involves parental engagement. “Our goal is to make sure that we move administrative programs that focus more on adults out of Washington, D.C., so that we can get all of those dollars back into education in the states,” McMahon explained.

On Tuesday, McMahon visited Utah as part of the Trump administration’s focus on transforming K-12 education. Speaking at an event titled “The Next 250: K-12 Education,” she advocated for shifting education authority back to the states, increasing funding for effective academic interventions, and broadening school choice options for families.

In her speech to students, parents, and teachers at the American Preparatory Academy in West Valley City, she said, “In every decision we make, we are not asking what’s better for growing government power, ideological agendas, or bureaucrats’ careers. We are returning education to its most basic obligation: to nurture the God-given potential of our children.”

This event in Utah was part of a larger 50-state tour aimed at decentralizing federal education authority. Data from the Department of Education reveals that more than $3 trillion in federal taxpayer money has been spent over the years, yet only about three in ten students meet or exceed proficiency in math and reading according to national assessments.

After her address, McMahon noted that parental involvement in education surged during the pandemic. “Parents, for the first time, could see what was going on with education, with the curriculum that was being taught to their children,” she mentioned. This engagement led to many parents attending school board meetings, which, she believes, shifted the educational focus. She also pointed out that national report card scores have declined since the Education Department was formed.

McMahon had made a commitment to work towards dismantling the federal education agency upon her appointment, even mentioning plans to hire leaders whose goal would be to phase out their roles. This initiative aligns with President Trump’s broader educational objectives, which he previously promoted at a White House event focusing on school choice. He has also pledged to eliminate what he termed “far-left extremism” in classrooms and criticized the inefficacy of federal education spending.

McMahon’s visit comes as the administration continues its efforts to reduce federal oversight. Earlier this year, the Department of Education signed an agreement with the Treasury Department. This agreement allows Treasury to take over certain federal student loan management responsibilities, part of the plan to transfer duties away from the Education Department.

She explained, “I’ve asked Congress, with this proof of concept and these interagency agreements: Let me prove to you that it works. I know, ultimately, Congress has to vote if we do close the Department of Education and if I, in fact, am able to fire myself. Hopefully, they will vote for it because I believe the outcome will be better for students — and that is the goal.”

McMahon clarified that the role of the federal agency has largely been to serve as a “pass-through” for funding, rather than controlling local school curricula—a misconception she notes many people have.

After her Utah appearance, McMahon’s speaking series will carry on with scheduled events in Nevada, Arizona, and Tennessee, where she intends to discuss rising costs in higher education and workforce Pell grants. Her concluding address in Tennessee will focus on reinstating accountability and standards within higher education.