McMahon promotes school choice during Manchester visit

McMahon backs expanded education accounts

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account program during an Oct. 15 visit to three Manchester schools, including Trinity High School and St. Joseph Junior High.

The taxpayer-funded accounts can pay for private, religious, alternative public or home-school education. Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law in 2025 removing the program’s income limit, making families eligible regardless of income.

McMahon met with participating families and said other New England states should examine New Hampshire’s approach. Kate Demers Baker, executive director of the Children’s Scholarship Fund of New Hampshire, which manages the accounts, said families are combining options such as public-school advanced placement courses, online classes and community college courses.

Critics of the expanded program warned that it redirects public money away from public schools.

Federal education role

McMahon also supported President Donald Trump’s goal of eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, an action that would require Congress. She said education programs should be moved closer to states and families.

The department is making agreements for other federal agencies to assume some responsibilities, McMahon said. She argued that federal aid for students with disabilities belongs in the Department of Health and Human Services, while student debt support would fit within the Treasury Department.

McMahon also defended a federal tax credit of up to for married couples who contribute to scholarship-granting organizations. The credit is set to begin Jan. 1 and applies to parents earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, listed as for a family of four. The scholarship organizations must undergo financial audits but are not required to demonstrate student outcomes.