Wrestling With the Future

I love a double entendre as much as anyone. And yet.

Chalkbeat is reporting that Linda McMahon--she of pro wrestling ownership--is expected to behas been selected as the president-elect's pick to lead the Department of Education. The article cites "multiple sources" in reporting the news, which was confirmed by Axios during this writing.

You have likely heard this is an agency that the next president would like to dismantle. In Chalkbeat's analysis, "In selecting someone with little education experience, Trump could be signaling that he does not intend for the department to play a major role under this next administration."

The Department of Education is responsible for:

• Protecting students' civil rights through initiatives like Title IX.
• Providing funding for Title I schools serving low-income students.
• Funding and supporting special education services, including 504 plans.
• Issuing grants supporting school safety, teacher training and preparation, and workforce development.
• Supports early childhood programs like Head Start.
• A whole lot more.

EdWeek reports that the DOE provided over 10% of public school funding in the 2021-22 school year, though that percent was elevated from COVID-relief funding which has since expired.

So now you know.