Teachers skeptical of new Education Secretary, survey finds

A recent Teacher Tapp survey revealed that K-12 teachers across the United States are pessimistic about the new Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, with very few expressing optimism. The announcement was made on the Teacher Tapp website on March 7.

According to the survey results, teachers across the U.S. have mixed reactions to McMahon, with 19% of elementary school teachers feeling optimistic, 45% pessimistic, and 36% reserving judgment. Among middle and high school teachers, 14% are optimistic, 57% are pessimistic, and 28% are undecided.

Education Week reports that upon her appointment as U.S. Secretary of Education in 2017, Betsy DeVos encountered notable disapproval from educators; a Saint Leo University poll revealed that over 52% of respondents disapproved of her, with 41% expressing strong disapproval. This widespread skepticism among teachers underscored the contentious nature of her nomination. Such levels of disapproval were unprecedented for an incoming education secretary.

As per Marquette Today, state-level education policies often have a greater impact on teachers than federal changes. This is evident in the recent wave of state-mandated reading reforms. More than 30 states have enacted laws requiring the use of "science of reading" approaches, with some even banning ineffective methods like "three-cueing." This shift highlights how local legislation shapes classroom practices more directly than broad national policies.

Public trust in federal education leadership has fluctuated over time. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that only 22% of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right just about always or most of the time. This decline in trust points to growing concerns about the effectiveness of federal policies in addressing educational challenges.

Founded by education researchers Laura McInerney and Becky Allen, Teacher Tapp is a daily survey app that empowers teachers to share their experiences and insights on education policy, workload, and classroom challenges. According to its website, the platform’s data helps inform decision-making at all levels of the education system.