By JC Bowman, TriStar Daily Contributing Education Editor

On August 13, 2025, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee. It was part of her tour to return education to the states.

She visited Grand Oaks Elementary School, in Anderson County, where she spoke with local education leaders. Later, she went to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There, she met with President Randy Boyd, Chancellor Donde Plowman, and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. They discussed the Tennessee Reading Research Center and its literacy programs.

Conservative political analyst Steve Gill said the federal government should give education block grants to states and local agencies. “This would allow them more freedom to use federal funds for various educational needs and local priorities, unlike the restrictive categorical grants.” He pointed out that “complicated federal funding rules, meant to ensure accountability, often create burdens for local decision-making.” He believes a “simplified, well-funded block grant system with both flexibility and accountability could work well in Tennessee, as long as it preserves educational goals focused on academic achievement.”

“Tennessee is setting a powerful example in education by making bold investments in early literacy,” Secretary McMahon said. “Partnerships with institutions like the University of Tennessee deepen the impact. They strengthen teacher preparation, advance research-based initiatives, and give families and educators the tools they need to help every child succeed. It was good to see the work being done in the Volunteer State.”

JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee and is the contributing education editor for TriStar Daily.