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United States Secretary of Education facts for kids

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United States Secretary of Education
Flag of the United States Secretary of Education.svg
Flag of the secretary
Seal of the United States Department of Education.svg
Seal of the Department of Education
Secretary Linda McMahon official portrait (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Linda McMahon
since March 3, 2025
Department of Education
Style Madam Secretary (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
Reports to President of the United States
Seat Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building
Washington, D.C.
Appointer President of the United States
with advice and consent from the Senate
Term length No fixed term
Constituting instrument 20 U.S.C. § 3411
Formation November 30, 1979; 45 years ago (1979-11-30)
First holder Shirley Hufstedler
Succession Sixteenth
Deputy Deputy Secretary
Salary Executive Schedule, Level I

The United States Secretary of Education is a very important person in the U.S. government. They lead the United States Department of Education. This person is the main advisor to the President of the United States. They help shape rules and programs for all education across the country.

The Secretary of Education is also part of the President's Cabinet. This means they are one of the President's top helpers. They are sixteenth in line to become President if something happens to the President and other leaders.

Currently, Linda McMahon is the Secretary of Education. She started this job on March 3, 2025, working for President Donald Trump.

What Does the Secretary of Education Do?

The Secretary of Education has a big job. They are in charge of the United States Department of Education. This department helps manage how the federal government influences schools and learning.

The Secretary works to make sure education policies are fair and effective. They help create programs that support students and schools. This includes everything from elementary schools to colleges.

How the Secretary Gets Advice

The Secretary also gets advice from a special group. This group is called the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. They help the Secretary with important decisions. These decisions are about how colleges and universities are approved and recognized.

History of the Education Secretary Role

Before 1979, there wasn't a separate Department of Education. Education was part of a larger department. It was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

The first official United States Secretary of Education was Shirley Hufstedler. She started her role on November 30, 1979.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Secretario de Educación de los Estados Unidos para niños

Images for kids

  • Hobby-Oveta-Culp

    Oveta Culp Hobby

  • Folsom

    Marion B. Folsom

  • ArthurSFlemming

    Arthur Flemming

  • Ribicoff

    Abraham A. Ribicoff

  • Celebrez

    Anthony J. Celebrezze

  • John W. Gardner, U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare

    John W. Gardner

  • Wilburportrait

    Wilbur J. Cohen

  • Robert Finch, 1967

    Robert Finch

  • ElliotLeeRichardson

    Elliot L. Richardson

  • Caspar Weinberger official photo

    Caspar Weinberger

  • F. David Mathews

    F. David Mathews

  • JAC AR 2007

    Joseph A. Califano Jr.

  • Patricia R. Harris

    Patricia Roberts Harris

  • United States Secretary of Education Shirley Hufstedler at Miami-Dade Community College 1980-02-07 (cropped 2)

    Shirley Hufstedler

  • TerrelBell

    Terrel Bell

  • Bill Bennett by Gage Skidmore

    William Bennett

  • Cavazos

    Lauro Cavazos

  • Portrait gray

    Ted Sanders (Acting)

  • Lamar Alexander black and white photo

    Lamar Alexander

  • Richard Riley Official Department of Education Photo

    Richard Riley

  • Rod Paige

    Rod Paige

  • Margaret Spellings, official ed photo 3

    Margaret Spellings

  • Arne Duncan official photo (cropped)

    Arne Duncan

  • John B. King official portrait (cropped2)

    John King Jr.

  • Phil Rosenfelt (cropped)

    Phil Rosenfelt (Acting)

  • Betsy DeVos official portrait (cropped)

    Betsy DeVos

  • Mick Zais official photo (cropped)

    Mick Zais (Acting)

  • Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, official portrait (cropped)

    Miguel Cardona

  • Denise L. Carter

    Denise L. Carter (Acting)

  • Linda McMahon 2025 (cropped)

    Linda McMahon

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