Former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has stepped back from consideration for senior roles at the U.S. Department of Education, as announced by Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Thursday.
Instead, Schwinn will take on different responsibilities within the department.
“We appreciate Dr. Schwinn’s dedication to supporting students, families, and educators nationwide,” McMahon stated. “Penny brings exceptional insight to education, and I look forward to working with her as my principal strategist to enhance our education system.”
In her own comments, Schwinn mentioned that after careful thought, she remains focused on “protecting children, achieving results, and expanding opportunities.”
Known for her initiatives to boost reading outcomes and increase tutoring accessibility, Schwinn was an early choice for a senior position in President Trump’s administration. While some considered her a bridge between polarized viewpoints, she faced criticism from Tennessee conservatives who believed she was too liberal for their preferences.
Some conservatives expressed that her timing for withdrawal was unfortunate. Jim Blue, co-founder of the Freedom Institute, remarked, “Her decision to withdraw as a candidate for assistant secretary is a setback for students, educators, and the Trump administration. We have significant responsibilities under pressing executive orders.”
As Education Secretary, McMahon aims to grant states more control over educational policies. It remains uncertain who will take on the assistant secretary role that focuses on state flexibility in education funding. Several states, like Iowa and Oklahoma, have already put forward proposals for block grants, while Indiana is gathering public feedback for similar initiatives.
The director of education in North Dakota, Kirsten Bessler, has confirmed she will serve as the primary education assistant secretary. Recently, she and several GOP leaders urged McMahon for more autonomy in directing education funds according to local needs.
Discussions about Schwinn’s ideological fit have persisted over the years. Groups on the far-right, including Moms for Liberty, criticized her past endorsements of initiatives that supported diverse staffing in education. Others raised concerns about her past pandemic strategies focusing on “well-being” home visits, which some perceived as an overreach of government influence even after she decided to cancel such plans.
Recently, conservative commentator Steve Gill highlighted that during her tenure in Texas, Schwinn had suggested individuals advocating for comprehensive sex education. He noted this could create tension with some Tennessee lawmakers, especially with Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is expected to run for governor next year and is thought to oppose Schwinn’s nomination.
Gill remarked that Blackburn’s team was possibly working behind the scenes to undermine Schwinn’s confirmation.
However, a department spokesperson stated that they “strongly disagree” with these characterizations.
Blue lamented the political barriers, noting that Schwinn’s experiences, spanning both red and blue states, could have been an asset to the Department of Education. Her prior roles in Tennessee and Texas, as well as founding a charter school in Sacramento, showcased her breadth of expertise.
Others praised her commitment to reading education in Tennessee and her efforts to allocate Covid relief funds towards tutoring services. “This is a chance for those looking to cut through bureaucracy, enhance literacy, and promote sensible values,” said Rick Hess, head of education policy research at the American Enterprise Institute.
Yet critics of Schwinn’s business pursuits questioned her commitment and ethics, particularly as she has been waiting to address the Senate Education Committee since leaving her role in Tennessee two years ago.
Just before a joint hearing with other candidates, reports surfaced about her creating a consulting business in Florida shortly after her nomination, which could raise conflict of interest concerns. Her colleagues mentioned the venture had been sidelined.
Ethics experts caution that nominees often should avoid new business ties to prevent conflicts, yet Schwinn has had past accusations regarding her judgment.
While in Texas, her administration engaged in a $4.4 million non-bid contract with a software provider, raising some eyebrows during state audits. In Tennessee, her administration brokered an $8 million deal with TNTP that involved her then-employer, leading to perceptions of a conflict.
“Ethics have remained a significant concern,” said JC Bowman, head of a professional educator group in Tennessee. He was among those who lobbied the Senate to reconsider her nomination, citing worries over how her business interests could influence educational decisions.
Clarification: Earlier versions of this article inaccurately described Schwinn’s intended role; she will now serve in an advisory capacity within the education department.
