Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections has sparked significant concern regarding potential changes to the American education system during his second term.
Advocates for civil liberties fear that his policies could roll back federal protections for marginalized groups, particularly LGBTQ+ students, students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds.
Trump’s stance on education has long been controversial. Throughout his first term from 2016 to 2020, as well as in his 2024 campaign, he proposed eliminating the Department of Education and slashing funding for K-12 education. These proposals have raised alarms among critics, who worry about the long-term impact on public education and access to resources for vulnerable students.
During his first presidency, Trump’s education agenda largely faltered. While he pushed for significant reforms, including merging the Education and Labor Departments, these ideas failed to gain traction in Congress. His attempt to cut the Education Department’s budget by up to 13% was also rejected by a Republican-controlled Congress. Additionally, his administration, led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, reversed many policies put in place by the Obama administration, particularly those aimed at safeguarding marginalized students, including transgender students and students of color.
In the years following his presidency, Trump has aligned himself with parent advocates who oppose what they describe as "woke indoctrination" in public schools. His education reform proposals, including allowing parents to directly elect school principals and eliminating federal support for schools that teach critical race theory, have been met with mixed reactions. Critics argue that these reforms are unrealistic, especially since critical race theory is not widely taught in K-12 classrooms and is primarily an academic subject in universities.
As Trump’s second term approaches, the future of American education remains uncertain, with many fearing that his policies could undermine years of progress in promoting inclusivity and equality in schools.
