If appointed secretary of education, Linda McMahon's tenure is likely to emphasize workforce development, parental rights and a decentralization of federal education oversight.

School districts that emphasize inclusivity, mobility and flexibility build a stronger workforce and a culture centered on human needs.

Dionne Mack is determined to ensure that no other parent experiences the pain of losing a child. Her son, 18-year-old Tyrell Spencer, suffered a cardiac arrest while playing basketball with friends in 2010 and tragically died. Last year, Mack successfully campaigned for the passage of the Tyrell Spencer Act, which mandates the presence of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in every school in Alabama. Now, she aims to expand this protection for students across the country.

For several years, many schools have adopted test-optional or test-blind admissions policies. In fact, more than 80% of schools will not require applicants to submit scores for fall 2025 admissions, according to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, a nonprofit advocacy group commonly known as FairTest.