U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon made an appearance at Arizona Autism Charter Schools in Phoenix last Friday, engaging with the community and promoting school choice during Autism Awareness Month. Her visit highlighted the achievements of students with autism and included participating in a pep rally and a roundtable discussion on educational options. McMahon praised the school's efforts, remarking to students, "You guys are killing it here," according to an interview by 12 News.
During her visit, McMahon praised the school's executive director and founder, Diana Diaz-Harrison, whom she appointed as the new deputy assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services. This move comes at a time when discussions about the spectrum of autism are increasingly prominent, especially after comments from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who termed autism an “epidemic” and attracted scrutiny for his harsh view on the potential of those with autism. Diaz-Harrison responded to Kennedy's remarks by saying, “I understand where RFK is coming from. He has so much love and urgency to find the causes of autism...I think it’s a matter of understanding that Autism is a spectrum, and it does break my heart that some children are very, very impacted and will need a lifetime of support. Does that mean that they cannot be productive? No,” as she told 12 News.
Amid celebrating the students' accomplishments, McMahon also spoke about the Education Department's plans. She revealed that her office was geared to aggressively begin the collection of defaulted student loans. "We will be very aggressive," she stated, with the first letter set to go out on May 5, as reported by 12 News. The Education Department hasn't collected on defaulted student loans since March 2020 due to a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. McMahon stressed the importance of borrowers exiting default and emphasized the need to protect other taxpayers.
The Secretary's visit also included a meeting with business leaders such as Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, and a discussion of educational strategies for ensuring students with special needs can thrive. The executive director of the Arizona Autism Charter Schools, Diana Diaz-Harrison, will soon head to Washington, D.C., bringing her expertise on programs catering to students with special needs, ABC15 reported. This appointment could signify a shift towards a more inclusive and supportive approach within the education sector.
.jpg){kind=link}