Kirsten Baesler, long-serving North Dakota education chief, was confirmed by the Senate as assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education at the U.S. Department of Education, overseeing major K-12 programs. Her confirmation comes amidst significant federal workforce downsizing and furloughs linked to governmental transitions and shutdowns. Baesler has a history of bipartisan collaboration and expertise in competency-based and computer science education. The Education Department continues to face operational challenges while new appointments aim to steer future policy and program administration.