Changes to the US Department of Education

May 14, 2026, 20:42
USPolitics

Introduction

Linda McMahon is the Education Secretary. She spoke to a group of leaders in the House. She explained her plan to change the Department of Education.

Main Body

The government wants to close the Department of Education. They want local people to make the rules. The department had 4,200 workers in 2024. In 2026, it will have only 2,300 workers. Some programs now go to other government offices. There are problems with the Office for Civil Rights. This office helps people with unfair treatment. Many workers are not working, but they still get money. The government wants to spend 35% less money here. This means fewer people can get help. New rules change student loans. Students can borrow less money for university. The government thinks this will make university cheaper. Also, the government is spending less money to help people learn to read. They changed 17 programs into one big program.

Conclusion

The leaders did not agree. Some people want a federal education department. Other people want to remove it.

Learning

πŸ•’ Talking about Now vs. Later

In this text, we see two ways to talk about time. One is for things happening right now, and one is for things that will happen.

1. Right Now (Present)

  • "Linda McMahon is the Education Secretary."
  • "The government wants to close the department."
  • Rule: Use this for facts and current feelings.

2. In the Future (Will)

  • "In 2026, it will have only 2,300 workers."
  • "This will make university cheaper."
  • Rule: Use will + action for things that happen after today.

Quick Comparison:

  • Now: The department has 4,200 workers. β†’\rightarrow (Current fact)
  • Later: It will have 2,300 workers. β†’\rightarrow (Future change)

Vocabulary Tip: Notice the word "less". We use it for things we cannot count easily, like money or help.

  • Less money βœ“\checkmark
  • Less help βœ“\checkmark

Vocabulary Learning

change (v.)
to make something different
Example:The school will change the schedule tomorrow.
department (n.)
a part of a large organization
Example:She works in the education department.
education (n.)
the process of learning
Example:Good education helps you get a job.
secretary (n.)
a person who manages paperwork
Example:The secretary wrote the meeting minutes.
group (n.)
a collection of people
Example:A group of friends went to the park.
leaders (n.)
people who guide others
Example:Leaders make important decisions.
house (n.)
a building where people live
Example:They moved into a new house last week.
plan (n.)
a set of actions to achieve a goal
Example:We made a plan for the weekend.
close (v.)
to shut or end
Example:Please close the door when you leave.
local (adj.)
nearby or in the same area
Example:Local shops are open on weekends.
people (n.)
human beings
Example:People enjoy playing games.
rules (n.)
instructions that must be followed
Example:The rules say no running in the hall.
workers (n.)
people who do a job
Example:Workers build houses.
programs (n.)
planned activities or courses
Example:The school offers many programs.
government (n.)
the group that runs a country
Example:The government made new laws.
office (n.)
a place where people work
Example:She works in a small office.
problems (n.)
difficult situations
Example:They solved the problems quickly.
civil (adj.)
relating to people and society
Example:Civil rights protect everyone.
rights (n.)
legal or moral entitlements
Example:Everyone has the right to speak.
unfair (adj.)
not just or equal
Example:It was unfair that she got no chance.
treatment (n.)
the way someone is cared for
Example:Good treatment helps people heal.
money (n.)
currency used for buying things
Example:She saved money for a trip.
spend (v.)
to use money or time
Example:He will spend his lunch break reading.
percent (n.)
a part out of one hundred
Example:Ten percent of the students passed.
less (adj.)
smaller amount or number
Example:She has less homework than before.
fewer (adj.)
smaller number of countable items
Example:There are fewer cars on the road.
students (n.)
people who study in school
Example:Students work hard for exams.
borrow (v.)
to take something temporarily
Example:Can I borrow your pen?
university (n.)
a college with many courses
Example:She plans to study at a university.
think (v.)
to use your mind to form ideas
Example:I think we should go now.
cheaper (adj.)
not expensive
Example:This shirt is cheaper than the other one.
help (v.)
to give support or assistance
Example:He will help you with the homework.
learn (v.)
to gain knowledge or skill
Example:She wants to learn to cook.
read (v.)
to look at written words
Example:I read a book before bed.
big (adj.)
large in size
Example:The dog is big and friendly.
federal (adj.)
relating to the national government
Example:Federal laws apply to all states.
remove (v.)
to take away or delete
Example:Please remove the trash from the table.