U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Chicago Hope Academy as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Returning Education to the States Tour and the History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour. The visit is part of a nationwide effort by Secretary McMahon to meet with students, teachers, and community leaders in all fifty states, gathering information on educational practices at the local level.
During her time at Chicago Hope Academy, Secretary McMahon toured a career and technical education lab as well as a history classroom. She also attended an assembly with over 200 high school students who participated in interactive activities aimed at increasing their understanding of American history and civics, highlighting Illinois’ role in national history. The event began with remarks from Chicago Hope Academy President and Principal Ike Muzikowski, followed by comments 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.”
The Returning Education to the States Tour involves Secretary McMahon visiting every state to listen directly to educators, parents, and community members about effective educational strategies. The information collected will be used to create a toolkit of best practices for distribution across states.
The History Rocks! initiative is one aspect of preparations for America’s 250th birthday. In partnership with Freedom 250—a group responsible for leading presidential programming around this milestone—and coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, officials plan school visits nationwide to highlight strong examples of history and civics instruction.
Freedom 250 focuses on uniting Americans around celebrating national achievements, honoring freedoms, and supporting opportunities for future generations. The America 250 Civics Education Coalition brings together organizations such as the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, among others, working together to advance civic education throughout the country.
