Education Secretary McMahon Stunned by Declining US Test Scores

McMahon Addresses Alarming Test Score Decline

On March 12, 2025, Education Secretary Linda McMahon appeared on 'The Ingraham Angle' to discuss the troubling state of American education. She expressed profound concern over the consistent decline in US test scores, highlighting a systemic issue that has persisted despite significant financial investment. McMahon pointed out that the nation has spent over $1 trillion on education since 1980, yet student performance in key areas like reading and math continues to fall. Her remarks underscore a critical need for reform in how education is managed and delivered across the country.

During the interview, at around the 2:30 mark, McMahon stated, 'We've spent $1 trillion since [1980] to educate students in our country and we've seen scores continually decline.' This stark statistic serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing that funding alone is not the solution to improving educational outcomes. Her focus is on identifying and addressing the root causes of this decline to ensure that future generations are better equipped for success.

Push for School Choice as a Solution

A central theme of McMahon's discussion was President Donald J. Trump's strong advocacy for school choice. She explained that the administration aims to empower states with the tools and flexibility to implement educational systems that best serve their communities. At approximately the 4:15 point in the video, McMahon elaborated, 'As we're preparing to turn over control to the states, we can provide them with tools, research, and best practices to get scores up.' This approach reflects a belief in localized decision-making over federal mandates, aligning with the administration's broader goal of reducing centralized control.

McMahon emphasized that President Trump is committed to ensuring equal access to quality education for every student. She noted his firm stance that no child should be trapped in a failing school, a sentiment that resonates with many who feel the current system has not delivered on its promises. The push for school choice is seen as a way to introduce competition and innovation into education, potentially reversing the downward trend in test scores by giving parents more options.

Cutting Bureaucracy at the Department of Education

Another significant point raised during the interview was the recent reduction in staff at the Department of Education. McMahon revealed that nearly 50% of the agency's workforce had been cut as part of an effort to eliminate what she described as 'bureaucratic bloat.' At about the 1:45 mark, she praised these steps, stating that such reductions are necessary to streamline operations and focus resources on impactful initiatives rather than administrative overhead.

This move is part of a larger vision shared by President Trump to eventually phase out the Department of Education, returning control to the states. McMahon suggested that this restructuring is not just about cutting costs but about rethinking the role of federal involvement in education. By reducing bureaucracy, the administration hopes to create a more efficient system that prioritizes student outcomes over maintaining a large federal apparatus.

Administration's Commitment to Educational Reform

Throughout the segment, McMahon's comments reflected the administration's determination to tackle long-standing issues in education head-on. The combination of advocating for school choice and reducing federal overreach signals a shift toward empowering states and parents to make decisions that directly affect students. This aligns with President Trump's broader agenda of prioritizing practical results over entrenched systems that have failed to deliver.

The focus on declining test scores serves as a rallying point for these reforms. McMahon's shock at the current state of student performance is shared by many who see the need for urgent action. As she noted during the discussion, providing states with research and best practices is a key step in reversing these trends, ensuring that education systems are tailored to meet local needs rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all model.

In conclusion, Secretary McMahon's appearance on 'The Ingraham Angle' highlighted critical challenges facing American education while outlining the administration's strategy to address them. With a clear emphasis on school choice, reduced bureaucracy, and state empowerment, the path forward is one of innovation and accountability. The hope is that these efforts will lead to a significant improvement in test scores and, ultimately, a brighter future for students across the nation.