Linda McMahon defends cuts, changes to Education Department : NPR

Key Points:

• U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended her efforts to dismantle parts of the Education Department during a Senate hearing, facing criticism from Democrats who said these changes have complicated access to services for parents and students.
• The Trump administration’s budget proposal includes a $539 million increase for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but McMahon’s plan to shift special education oversight to other agencies sparked concern from advocates who fear this move could undermine educational equity.
• The proposed budget cuts the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) funding by 35%, despite OCR’s critical role in investigating disability discrimination; McMahon denied responsibility for previous staff cuts and promised to hire more lawyers to address case backlogs.
• TRIO programs, which support low-income and first-generation college students, face potential reforms or cuts, with McMahon labeling them ineffective based on their own metrics, drawing opposition from senators who emphasize their importance and bipartisan support.
• Senators raised concerns about delays and confusion in student loan forgiveness programs, particularly the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and repayment plans, with McMahon acknowledging issues but offering no clear long-term solutions.