Linda McMahon's Vision: ESSA Waivers and State Education Control

0:00President Barack Obama. Virginia, we are counting on you. Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. But you can stop them by voting yes by April 21st. Help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide not politicians. Vote yes by April 21st. Paid for by Virginians for fair elections. Hey, I'm Josh Speagle, host of the podcast Lunatic in the newsroom. If you enjoy journalism that drifts into mild panic, wild overthinking, and a guaranteed nervous breakdown, Lunatic in the newsroom is for you. It's news like you've never heard before. The only newsroom with a panic button, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and gasp and horror as the show spirals completely out of control. It's not just news, it's emotionally unstable. Lunatic in the newsroom, listen today. Hello, I'm Mortimer, and welcome to this episode of the Secretary of Education podcast.

1:05Today, we're diving into the latest headlines on Linda McMahon, the current U.S. Secretary of Education, who took office last year under the Trump administration. Education week reports that McMahon is pushing hard to return control of K through 12th grade education to the states. She's granting waivers from the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, to give states flexibility from federal rules on testing, funding, and accountability. For example, idolo wants high schoolers to pick assessments that match their future plans, like career-focused tests instead of one size fits all exams. Debbie Critchfield, Idaho's superintendent, told Education Week the timing feels right now, with McMahon's leadership. Indiana is asking to redirect Title I funds for low-performing schools straight to disadvantaged students, skipping the school fix mandate. Alabama seeks approval for all students to take both the ACT for college readiness and ACT work keys for careers. Education week notes states like Iowa already got partial waivers,

2:10saving millions for local districts, while keeping legal guardwails. Assistant Secretary Kirsten Basler emphasized to Education Week that waivers must boost student achievement, not just handout leeway. She holds monthly calls with state chiefs to say yes where possible, balancing state innovation with accountability, but critics worry. Congressional Democrats, per Education Week, fear waivers could weaken protections for marginalized kids. Ed Trust's Nicholas Munion Penny, questions if the slim down department, with staff cut nearly in half, and programs shifting to labor can monitor these changes effectively. A big legal headline. On March 11th, a lawsuit filed by Massachusetts and others in federal court targets McMahon and the Education Department over data and diversity practices in admissions, claiming misuse of authority, according to the New York Attorney General's office documents. Social media buzz is heating up too. While not directly about McMahon,

3:12districts face backlash over inclusive posts, like one celebrating transgender congresswoman Sarah McBride, that sparked heed public comments at a recent school board meeting, as covered in the Batavia 5th word blog. It highlights broader tensions in schools that federal policy under McMahon aims to navigate by empowering states. On high red, under Secretary Nicholas Kent, visited Ivy Tech Community College this week, praising workforce programs in healthcare and welding as key to America's talent strategy, per Ivy Tech News. These moves have states testing boundaries, sparking debate on whether it's true flexibility or lowered standards. McMahon's department insists it about elevating good practices for all kids. Thanks for listening to the Secretary of Education podcast, and please subscribe. It has been a quiet please production. And for more info, check out quietplease.ai

4:31But you can stop them by voting yes by April 21st. Help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide not politicians. Vote yes by April 21st. Paid for by Virginians for fair elections. Hey, I'm Josh Speagle, host of the podcast Lunatic in the newsroom. If you enjoy journalism that drifts into mild panic, wild overthinking and a guaranteed nervous breakdown, Lunatic in the newsroom is for you. It's news like you've never heard before. The only newsroom with a panic button, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and gasp and horror as the show spirals completely out of control. It's not just news, it's emotionally unstable. Lunatic in the newsroom, listen today.