Lisa McCormick, a prominent progressive Democrat, has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Her remarks came in response to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s recent comments citing poor proficiency statistics as justification for the proposal.
McCormick referenced data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which shows that eighth-grade achievement levels have historically improved under Democratic administrations and declined during Republican-led periods. She highlighted that states like New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut, which invest more in education, consistently outperform the national public school average. In contrast, she noted that states with Republican leadership, such as Kansas, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Oklahoma, often see lower academic performance.
“It is not surprising that in states dominated by so-called Christian nationalist Republicans, you consistently see much lower academic performance,” McCormick stated. “But you have to be misguided to think we can improve education by cutting school budgets.”
Recent reports indicate that student academic performance in U.S. public schools has reached a 30-year low, with significant declines in standardized test scores across multiple subjects. Experts attribute these setbacks to pandemic-related learning disruptions and increased chronic absenteeism. Despite these challenges, U.S. public education spending continues to lag behind global benchmarks and economic growth.
McCormick, who received 159,998 votes in the 2018 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, argued that a prosperous America depends on investing in education. She advocated for universal access to free public education, from early childhood programs to post-secondary opportunities, including colleges, universities, and trade schools. She also emphasized the importance of supporting teachers, who face challenges such as behavioral issues in classrooms and a national teacher shortage.
“Teachers make every profession possible,” McCormick said. “Since COVID, teachers have gone above and beyond for their students. While the pandemic is mostly behind us, the negative impacts on our students persist. We must support educators who remain steadfast in addressing both academic and mental health needs.”
McCormick warned that the U.S. risks losing its global standing if it fails to invest adequately in education. Currently, U.S. public spending on education falls short of the international benchmark set by UNESCO. She proposed funding essential services, such as universal healthcare, expanded Social Security, and free public education, through a fair tax structure that increases contributions from ultra-wealthy individuals and corporations.
“America had 50 years of prosperity and a growing middle class before Reaganomics,” McCormick explained. “We need to return to principles that reflect the New Deal, Great Society, and Share Our Wealth programs that lifted families up and built a thriving middle class.”
McCormick’s call to action comes as ACT college admissions test scores for high school students have dropped to their lowest in over three decades, with only 21% of test-takers meeting benchmarks for college-level success. Scores have declined for six consecutive years, with the trend accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A veteran activist involved with organizations like Our Revolution, MoveOn.org, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety, McCormick has long advocated for a more equitable society. She concluded her remarks by urging Americans to unite in the fight for a better future.
“The path is hard, the system is rigged against us, and our opponents have all the money. But we—the 99 percent—have the numbers. Together, we can create a new path to victory,” she said. “Everyone has the power to make a difference, and young people have the potential to build a better world. We must prepare and inspire them in every way we can.”