'Breaks promises': Trump Education pick accused of 'overextending' her federal authority
The editorial board at the Washington Post is taking aim at Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s “ultimatum to state education officials: Certify within 10 days that their school districts have eliminated all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or lose education funding from Washington.”
The board called the move a “straightforward assault on the federalist nature of the U.S. education system.” Later adding, “McMahon’s threat attempts to create an atmosphere of fear within local schools.”
The lack of funding affects more than just what is taught in schools: “The danger is that programs to recruit Black teachers for inner-city schools, for example, will be cut.” They also penned concerns when it comes to teaching, “slavery or other complicated aspects of U.S. history,” questioning if these notable historic moments, “will be considered too risky to continue.”
Continuing to slam McMahon’s edict and “micromanaging classroom activities,” The Post noted how these actions are the exact opposite of what she promised – putting education in the hands of the states.
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“McMahon is overextending her authority,” they said. In a statement, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at Education, Craig Trainor agreed, adding, “[The administration is merely] actively holding states accountable” and making sure taxpayer dollars “do not sponsor discrimination.”
“The Education Department’s new threat to local schools also breaks the president’s many promises to end ‘censorship’ by the government,” the board opined.
While states like New York have said they won’t comply, other areas are not as lucky. The Post saying, “Low-income schools that rely on Title I funding — and disproportionately educate students of color — might understandably go out of their way to avoid a collision with federal officials.”