Returning Education to the States

The Trump administration's efforts to 'return education to the states' have been described as limited and contradictory, with state leaders noting minimal changes in control. Indiana and Rhode Island education officials highlighted existing state authority and increased federal interference under the administration.

The Trump administration granted Indiana a limited waiver to ease federal grant restrictions, allowing $13 million in Title grants for state-level activities but rejecting broader changes to $350 million in district-level funds. Similar scaled-back waivers were approved in Iowa and Louisiana, indicating the Education Department’s cautious approach to altering federal education grant regulations.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited the Center for Technology, Essex, as part of her 'Returning Education to the States' initiative, which focuses on workforce development. The visit prompted protests from students and others outside the school, who criticized the Trump administration's policies and McMahon's role in dismantling the Department of Education.