U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Visits Illinois on Returning Education to the States and History Rocks! Tours

CHICAGO, IL - Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Chicago Hope Academy in support of both the U.S. Department of Education's national Returning Education to the States Tour and History Rocks!Trail to Independence tour. On her Returning Education to the States tour, Secretary McMahon is visiting all fifty states to hear from students, teachers, and leaders about best educational practices in their own communities. The History Rocks! tour aims to strengthen civic literacy by helping students personally connect with America's founding principles in celebration of America's upcoming 250th birthday.

Secretary McMahon toured Chicago Hope Academy, visiting a career and technical educational lab and history classroom. Secretary McMahon then participated in an assembly with over 200 students in ninth through twelfth grades who played interactive games designed to deepen their understanding of American history and civics and the important role Illinois has played in our nation's history. The event opened with remarks from Chicago Hope Academy President and Principal Ike Muzikowski, followed by remarks from Secretary McMahon.

"It was an honor to visit the Land of Lincoln to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday and engage with students in a history classroom and assembly focused on civics and the story of America," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "I also had the opportunity to see innovative career and technical education classrooms that are preparing Illinois students for the demands of the modern workforce. Through experiences like these, we aim to inspire the next generation of leaders-both in civic life and in the workplace-who will shape and strengthen our nation's next 250 years."

Background

On her Returning Education to the States Tour, Secretary McMahon is traveling to all 50 states to hear directly from teachers, parents, and community leaders about what is working in their communities for their students and compile a toolkit of best practices to distribute to states.

Learn more about Secretary McMahon's Returning Education to the States tour here.

The History Rocks! initiative is a key component of the U.S. Department of Education's celebrations for America's 250th birthday, in partnership with Freedom 250 and coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition. Secretary McMahon, Administration officials, and education leaders will visit schools in all 50 states to showcase examples of high-quality history and civics instruction that bring American principles to life.

Learn more about the Department's Semiquincentennial initiatives here.

Freedom 250 leads the presidential programming for the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. Its mission is to unite Americans around one shared purpose-celebrating the Triumph of the American Spirit by honoring our history, cherishing our freedoms, and building the golden age of opportunity for the next 250 years.

Learn more about Freedom 250 here.

The America 250 Civics Education Coalition is a national partnership with the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 50 national and state organizations. This coalition is dedicated to advancing civic education and expanding opportunities for students to learn about the ideas, individuals, and events that define the American story.