Survey: Majority of U.S. teachers concerned over Linda McMahon's appointment as Education Secretary

A Teacher Tapp survey announced that 58% of teachers expressed strong pessimism regarding Linda McMahon's tenure as Education Secretary following her selection by President-elect Donald Trump. Teacher Tapp made that announcement in a blog post.

The New York Post reports that the nomination of Linda McMahon, co-founder and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), as Education Secretary has raised concerns among educators due to her limited background in education policy and absence of classroom teaching experience. This appointment aligns with President-elect Trump's broader agenda to restructure the Department of Education, including proposals to reduce its size and shift control to state and local authorities.

According to a 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center, 82% of public K-12 teachers say the overall state of education has worsened over the past five years. Major concerns include the political climate (60%), the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (57%), and changes in funding and resources (46%). Despite differing political affiliations, most teachers share this negative outlook, though Democrats are more likely than Republicans to blame politics and funding. Additionally, many teachers express distrust in both major political parties when it comes to handling key education issues.

As per Straight Arrow News, the U.S. Department of Education spent $268 billion in fiscal year 2024, representing 4% of total federal spending. The majority, 60% or $160.7 billion, was allocated to Federal Student Aid programs like Pell Grants, loans, and work-study. About $68.1 billion went to states, while $39.9 billion supported K-12 grants, including $18.8 billion for schools serving disadvantaged students and $15.5 billion for special education.

Teacher Tapp is an innovative survey tool designed to capture the pulse of educators nationwide. Through short, anonymous daily surveys, the platform gathers critical insights into the realities of teaching, helping drive evidence-based conversations among policymakers, researchers, and school administrators.