President-elect Donald Trump has big plans for schools in the United States. Here’s a simple breakdown of what he might change during his second term:
Department of Education
Trump wants to get rid of the Department of Education (DOE), which helps manage federal education programs. This department was created by President Jimmy Carter and supports schools with funding, especially those that struggle financially. Throughout his first term, Trump suggested cutting the DOE’s budget by billions of dollars. He believes that states should have more control over schools instead of the federal government.
Content in Schools
Trump’s campaign has proposed several changes regarding what is taught in schools. He wants to allow prayer in public schools, give parents more rights in education, and focus on teaching patriotism and the “American Way of Life.” He also wants to cut funding for schools that teach topics like critical race theory and gender issues. Critics say these plans could lead to censorship and limit discussions on important topics related to race and gender. In fact, over 10,000 books have been removed from school libraries this year due to similar efforts.
Trump also wants to create a new system to certify teachers who support patriotic values and to bring back his 1776 Commission, which aimed to teach history in a way that aligns with the founding values of the United States. However, he hasn’t clearly defined what those values are.
School Choice
Trump supports “universal school choice,” which means families could use public education funds for private schools or homeschooling. However, many voters in states like Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado have recently rejected similar proposals.
Teacher Pay and Job Security
Trump wants to end teacher tenure, which protects teachers from being fired without a good reason. While many states have these laws, some don’t. He also plans to introduce pay based on teacher performance. Some studies suggest this could benefit students, but others argue that many factors affect how well students do in school, such as funding and resources.
Higher Education
For colleges and universities, Trump wants to start a new free university called the “American Academy.” He plans to fund it by taxing and suing private universities.
