CCSSO CEO on Education Secretary confirmation: She will help 'provide opportunities for all students'

Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), expressed education leaders' eagerness to collaborate with newly confirmed U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to support student success. This statement was made in a press release on March 3.

"I congratulate U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon on her confirmation," said Moffat Miller.

According to Time, Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and ex-administrator of the Small Business Administration, was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, by a Senate vote of 51-45. Her appointment comes as President Donald Trump seeks to scale back the Education Department, cut diversity programs, and expand school choice initiatives. McMahon has pledged to improve the department's efficiency while preserving key funding programs for low-income students.

The U.S. Department of Education operates with an annual budget of approximately $79 billion, supporting key programs such as Title I, which provides over $18 billion to schools serving low-income communities, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which allocated more than $15 billion in 2024 to support students with disabilities. These federally funded initiatives ensure educational resources for underserved populations and require congressional approval for any changes, according to Raising Special Kids.

The Century Foundation reports that inequitable funding in U.S. public schools creates significant educational barriers, particularly for Black and Latinx students in lower-income districts. The foundation states that K-12 schools face annual underfunding of nearly $150 billion, affecting resources for more than 30 million children. Addressing these disparities through equitable funding formulas is crucial for improving student achievement and ensuring long-term academic success.

Miller has served as CEO of CCSSO since 2018, collaborating with state education leaders to improve student outcomes. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a Ph.D. in education and previously served as Idaho’s deputy superintendent.