Trump's Education Department's Second-In-Command Position Bid Withdrawal by Penny Schwinn

Trump's Education Department's Second-In-Command Position Bid Withdrawal by Penny Schwinn - Reasons Undisclosed

In a recent development, Penny Schwinn, a champion of academic rigor and a leader known for her common-sense conservatism, withdrew her nomination to be Linda McMahon's number two at the U.S. Department of Education.

Schwinn's nomination, which earned the Senate education committee's nod in June, was seen as a test case for whether Trump 2.0 would tackle the K-12 culture wars in a way that Trump 1.0 did not. However, her withdrawal was the result of a coordinated MAGA pressure campaign that threatened her confirmation.

The push to reject Schwinn was initially spearheaded by a Moms for Liberty chapter in Tennessee and anti-DEI crusader and social media personality Robby Starbuck. The concerns raised by MAGA activists centered around ensuring that the Trump administration had their backs and addressing educational excesses over the past decade.

Schwinn's commitment to empowering parents and her eagerness to cut red tape and bureaucracy had been welcomed by many. Her work for right-wing favorite Ben Sasse when he was leading the University of Florida was also a testament to her dedication to education.

However, it seems that the episode illustrates a split among Republicans. On one hand, there are those focused on instruction and accountability. On the other, there are those more broadly intent on pushing back against progressive dogma.

The administration is fortunate that it has been able to lean on the extraordinarily talented Hayley Sanon as acting K-12 chief. Meanwhile, Schwinn will still serve as a salaried strategic adviser to McMahon.

Restoring common sense to classroom culture is crucial if educators are going to focus on the work of educating. It's tough to support academic excellence when educators are reluctant to address student misconduct or when personal responsibility is dismissed. It's equally challenging to champion rigorous math instruction when educators fret that it's racist to worry about correct answers or offer advanced math classes.

Kirsten Baesler, the long-serving North Dakota schools chief, is still slated to take the reins on K-12 sometime later this year. As the education landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the new leadership navigates these complex issues.

The nomination of Penny Schwinn sparked concerns among MAGA activists and served as a reminder that the K-12 culture wars are far from over. The withdrawal of her nomination is an unfortunate blow to an administration bent on doing big things in schooling. Yet, it also presents an opportunity to reflect on the values that underpin education and the role of educators in shaping the future.