The education department protects students

Imagine being appointed to be the president of a huge tech company. You have no experience or knowledge of tech. Your 11-year-old Grandson taught you once how to turn on a computer, but that’s the limit of your tech knowledge.

You’re really a modern-day luddite.

Most of your experience is in showbiz. The chairman of the board loved your show and even made guest appearances. The other board members are afraid of the chairman and so when he shouts, “jump!”

They whimper, “How high?”

You’ve received your orders. His goal is to dismantle the company regardless of harm.

You’re hired to destroy, not reform.

Sounds a lot like what’s happening to the United States Department of Education (DOE). President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education is Linda McMahon. Trump said, “I told Linda I hope you do a great job and put yourself out of a job.”

She and her husband Vince McMahon founded World Wrestling Entertainment. She once ran for the United States Senate but lost. She headed the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. She may have qualifications just not the ones matching the job.

Trump and his legislative lemmings claimed Pete Hegseth was qualified to manage the 2.9 million people in the Defense Department because he’d been shot at defending America.

Although he completely lacks qualifications, Hegseth was at least a soldier in the department he’s picked to lead. McMahon has never been an educator. She has not endured a hot classroom of 7 th graders after gym, or calmed screeching parents sure their child is a genius.

I guess when it comes to a department on the Trump destruction list, all Linda needs to do is be willing to ride the wrecking ball.

Her qualifications appear to be her willingness to invite Trump to show off on her wrestling shows, and her ability to pony up a $10 million donation to the Trump campaign.

So, why has the DOE been a political wedge issue since its inception?

President Jimmy Carter made the DOE a cabinet level department in 1979. In 1980, Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan promised to abolish it. He was stopped by Democratic majority in the US House, and unlike Trump, understood he couldn’t do it by Executive Order.

The DOE has also had mixed reviews from educators. I’ve never been huge fan of one size fits all initiatives like “No Child Left Behind.”

“No Child Left Behind” really wasn’t about not leaving anyone behind. It was about using standardized tests to punish schools. The more accurate name would have been “No test left ungiven.”

Anyone who’s taught for a couple years knows standardized tests are snapshots that are frequently out of focus if a student hasn’t had enough sleep, enough breakfast, or enough parenting.

Also, those labeled low performing were often the lowest income schools.

Still, the federal government plays an essential role in public education.

After all, the first name of our country is “United.” We should be united in agreeing that all kids matter, regardless of disability or location.

Here’s some of what the DOE does:

It protects students with disabilities. It requires Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans for students under the Rehabilitation Act. The Department ensures school districts must provide accommodation.

It enforces Title IX, protecting students from sex discrimination.

It protects students from racial discrimination under Title VI.

It provides federal funding for Title I, special education, and Pell Grants for college students.

It investigates and enforces civil rights laws. It investigates colleges and universities for fraud

It provides research for educators to improve classroom instruction.

It oversees federal student loans.

Anyone cheering for the destruction of the DOE, better first consider what agency will provide united protection for all United States students regardless of where they live.

Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City, taught for 11 years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association Regional Director for 27 years until he retired. BruceLear2419@gmail.com