Education Secretary McMahon promotes tech training, defends budget cuts in Minnesota visit

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stopped in Minnesota on Wednesday and defended her downsizing of the federal Department of Education. She visited Rochester Community and Technical College, Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, and a charter school in Farmington. The stop is part of a nationwide trip meant to spotlight shifting authority over education to states. Minnesota was the 44th state she has visited, and she aims to gather ideas from local educators, families and students into a toolkit of best practices.

The article says the department has lost nearly half its workforce and has moved more than 100 programs and obligations to other agencies, including special education services and Title I grant distribution. McMahon said other agencies already have systems and better technology for sending out funds, and she described the shift as going very well. However, the article cites an NPR investigation in which staffers said the department has become more complex, costly and inefficient, making it harder to serve states and schools. NPR also found that the student loan office needed to rehire after halving its staff.

At the Rochester college she toured peace officer simulation, carpentry and automotive programs. She promoted vocational training as a way to address a shortage of skilled workers and urged technical colleges, high schools and employers to collaborate. The article also notes Republican Congressman Brad Finstad appeared with her while he faces a tight reelection race.