Linda McMahon uncovers a neglected federal law that could potentially save countless student lives, while a grieving father who lost his daughter in a school shooting urges immediate action.
At a Glance
- Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has made significant progress on school safety within her first 100 days in office
- McMahon has highlighted a critical federal school safety law requiring states to identify unsafe schools that has been largely unenforced for years
- Andrew Pollack, whose daughter was killed in a 2018 school shooting, praises McMahon’s efforts while criticizing previous administrations’ inaction
- Arkansas is currently the only state properly implementing the federal school safety law
- McMahon faces opposition from education unions concerned about her approach to education reform
A Father’s Mission Aligns with McMahon’s Reform
Andrew Pollack, who lost his daughter in a tragic 2018 school shooting, has found an unexpected ally in Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. In her first 100 days, McMahon has unearthed and begun enforcing a long-neglected federal law requiring states to identify dangerous schools and allow students to transfer to safer options. This discovery marks what many consider the most significant school safety advancement in decades, addressing a critical gap in federal oversight that Pollack has been highlighting since his daughter’s death.
Arkansas stands alone as the only state currently complying with this federal safety mandate, under the leadership of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva, who previously worked on school safety initiatives in Florida. McMahon has now put other states on notice regarding their legal obligation to implement these safety measures, representing a decisive shift from previous administrations that prioritized other educational initiatives while this safety law remained largely unenforced.
“We have parents here whose children were murdered in school, and they’re trying to help stop other children from getting murdered in school, and you’re asking me about the shutdown?”, said President Trump.
McMahon’s Broader Education Vision Faces Resistance
While McMahon’s school safety initiatives have gained support from parents concerned about their children’s wellbeing, her broader vision for the Department of Education has generated significant controversy. McMahon has been transparent about her intention to fundamentally transform the department, emphasizing a return to state and local control of education and empowering parents in educational decision-making. This approach aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises but has drawn sharp criticism from education unions.
The National Education Association (NEA) has voiced strong opposition to McMahon’s confirmation and policy direction. NEA President Becky Pringle has expressed concerns that McMahon’s leadership could result in reduced funding for public schools, larger class sizes, fewer resources for at-risk students, and potential job losses for educators. These concerns stem from McMahon’s support for school choice initiatives and her critical assessment of the department’s effectiveness since its establishment in 1980.
“As I’ve learned many times throughout my career, disruption leads to innovation and gets results,” said Secretary Linda McMahon.
Call to Action for Parents and States
McMahon’s focus on enforcing the school safety law represents just one aspect of her department’s “final mission,” as she describes it. This mission includes eliminating what she terms “bureaucratic bloat” while restoring a culture of liberty and excellence in education. Despite opposition from educational institutions and unions, McMahon remains committed to addressing what she views as the department’s inefficiency and poor outcomes despite over $1 trillion in federal education spending since 1980.
Pollack’s message to parents echoes McMahon’s emphasis on accountability and action. He urges parents to be proactive in ensuring their children’s safety by demanding that states comply with federal safety laws. This grassroots approach to school safety complements McMahon’s top-down enforcement efforts, potentially creating a comprehensive framework for identifying and addressing safety concerns in schools nationwide before more tragedies occur.
