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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
Linda McMahon 2025 (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 American government. They lead the United States Department of Education. This person helps the President of the United States with all things related to schools and learning across the country.

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

Currently, Linda McMahon is the Secretary of Education. She works under President Donald Trump.

What Does the Secretary of Education Do?

The Secretary of Education has a big job. They are the main person in charge of federal education policy. This means they help decide how the U.S. government supports schools. They also lead the United States Department of Education.

The Department of Education works to make sure all students get a good education. It helps with things like student loans and grants. It also works to improve teaching and learning. The Secretary helps guide all these efforts.

The Secretary also gets advice from a special group. This group is called the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. They give advice on how colleges and universities are checked for quality.

A Look at Past Education Leaders

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 person to lead the Department of Education was Shirley Hufstedler. She started in 1979. Many people have held this important job since then. They have worked under different presidents.

The Secretary of Education is chosen by the President. Then, the Senate must agree to the choice. This ensures that qualified people fill this role.

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 official photo

    Linda McMahon

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