Linda McMahon Toured North Carolina Schools
The Secretary of Education visited New Bern High School as part of a national tour focused on state educational changes.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon returned to her alma mater, New Bern High School, as part of her Returning Education to the States Tour. The trip included stops at several other institutions across North Carolina to observe career and technical education programs firsthand.
Why it matters
This tour aims to provide a direct look at the evolving educational landscape across the country. By visiting diverse institutions, officials seek to understand how shifts in curriculum and policy are manifesting in classrooms nationwide.
The visit included stops at New Bern High School, Fayetteville, the University of North Carolina, and Wake Tech Community College. These sites represent a mix of secondary and post-secondary educational environments.
The players
Linda McMahon
She serves as the United States Secretary of Education and is currently leading a national initiative to evaluate state-level educational changes.
The details
During her time at New Bern High School, McMahon observed student participation in the JROTC program, the school band, and the choir. Her broader tour across the state focuses on observing student engagement in career and technical education programs to inform national educational perspectives.
Timeline
September 25, 2026
Culture Shift
The tour mirrors a growing emphasis on localized policy analysis within national administrative strategies. This shift represents a departure from purely centralized oversight, prioritizing on-the-ground engagement with diverse school districts.
The tour may highlight local vocational programs that could see increased funding or national prominence. Residents and students at visited institutions should prepare for potential programmatic shifts based on the feedback gathered during these observations.
The takeaway
These high-level visits provide a rare bridge between local classroom experiences and national policy development. Observing these programs helps ensure that technical education remains aligned with the evolving needs of the modern workforce.
Further reading
For more background on state-level academic initiatives, visit the Secondary Education section.
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