By Esther Wickham
The Center Square

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized literacy, artificial intelligence, civil discourse and education funding at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education.

Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner asked McMahon questions at RISE in Washington, D.C., on education subjects, such as school choice, innovation, literacy and best practices for schools at the local and state level.

On the subject of civil discourse within schools, McMahon mentioned the recent assassination of the conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, stating that in classrooms, students should be respectful when talking about controversial subjects.

“We have to be more civil. We have to teach how to disagree. Hold on to your beliefs and your principles. Be willing to listen, because you may not always be right,” said McMahon.

Since its conception in 1980, the U.S. Department of Education has spent $3 trillion on education, and the scores have continued to go down, McMahon explained.

“We spent that money. Where has it gone? What can we show for it?” McMahon said. “So I think when we return education to the states … teachers, parents, principals working together know where those needs are in their states. There is no one-size-fits-all in education.”

The secretary of education said she hopes to leave a legacy of making things better and stronger. She wants to leave the best practices for local and state school systems.

The issue of school choice should not be partisan, emphasized McMahon.

“This is about our kids. Let’s give them the opportunity to get the best education they can,” McMahon said.

In the past few weeks, the Education Department has pointed to the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ finding that nationwide test scores are at an all-time low.

“Today’s NAEP results confirm a devastating trend: American students are testing at historic lows across all of K-12,” McMahon said.

The department plans to invest grants totaling $500 million for charter schools to support education choice in 2025.

In August, the Department of Education announced the Returning Education to the States Tour in its continuing efforts to dismantle the agency and return power to the states.

McMahon will meet with schools across the country to hear from teachers and students on education and ways to improve learning outcomes, and ensure families have the freedom to choose the best educational path for their child’s needs, according to the department.

This past week, McMahon visited Montana.

“Those locally-driven efforts show how returning education control to the states allows for tailored solutions that directly meet unique economic and community needs,” McMahon said.