As uncertainty looms over the future of the Department of Education, school administrators across the state are bracing for impact. With budget season in full swing, many are preparing for deep cuts to crucial programs like special education and Title 1 services for low-income students.
The concerns follow the recent confirmation of Linda McMahon to lead the DOE. She recently called the department’s overhaul in a speech a “final mission.”
In her speech, McMahon said she aims to cut red tape; empower parents to make better educational choices; prioritize core subjects like math, reading, science, and history over DEI initiatives; and align post-secondary education with high-paying job opportunities.
But, what President Donald Trump’s administration’s proposed actions mean for schools in Massachusetts is another thing.
In response to McMahon’s confirmation, Gov. Maura Healey said that dismantling the DOE would mean that Massachusetts schools would lose $2 billion in federal funding for schools.
Healey said the funding cuts would result in larger class sizes, fewer reading specialists, and less support for students with an individualized education program. They would also mean less funding for poorer and rural school districts and the end of after-school programs.