U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Rochester Community and Technical College to see how students are training for jobs in high-demand fields, as part of her Returning Education to the States Tour.
McMahon toured the campus's hands-on training labs alongside U.S. Reps. Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber. The group checked out spaces for dental simulation, peace officer simulation and automotive work.
Minnesota is 44th Stop on National Tour
The visit was part of McMahon's effort to travel to all 50 states to hear from teachers, parents and students about what's working in their communities. Minnesota is the 44th stop on the tour.
Earlier in the day, McMahon visited Great Oaks Academy, a public charter school serving students in kindergarten through 10th grade. Students performed a choir ensemble, recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Latin and presented poetry from a fifth-grade class. She then met with teachers to discuss how they teach and their experiences in the classroom.
McMahon also toured Dakota County Technical College to see programs for veterinary technology, process technology and electrical linework. After the tour, she had lunch with members of the Minnesota State Legislature to discuss giving states and local communities more control over education decisions.
Local Autonomy Over Federal Mandates
"What our visits across the state make clear is that a truly responsive education system cannot be driven by federal mandates," McMahon said. "From foundational civics and early literacy to high-tech medical and trade labs, success happens when local educators and state leaders have the autonomy to build programs that directly match the unique academic and workforce needs of their own communities."
