As the November election approaches, education policy has surfaced as a significant topic in the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. While both candidates have predominantly emphasized immigration, foreign policy, and economic issues, their viewpoints on K-12 and higher education policies differ markedly.
Trump’s Education Policy
Trump’s education policy emphasizes parental rights, universal school choice, and the promotion of “patriotic education” within schools. According to a representative from his campaign, the strategy aims to enhance academic excellence by expanding school choice, empowering parents, and supporting effective teaching. Trump posits that educational content should focus primarily on core subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics, rather than on issues related to gender, sexuality, and race, which he argues receive undue attention under the current administration.
Harris’s Educational Initiatives
In contrast, Harris’s campaign underscores the educational investments made during the Biden administration and expresses a commitment to continue these initiatives if she is re-elected. A spokesperson stated that the recent administration has provided unprecedented funding for K-12 education, marking a historic milestone in educational financing, which Harris supported through her vote. The campaign argues that while Democrats emphasize funding and support for local schools, Trump’s plan could lead to substantial cuts to such programs and the potential dismantling of the Department of Education.
Criticism of Conservative Initiatives
Harris has also criticized conservative initiatives, such as the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” which seeks to eliminate programs like Head Start and impose restrictions on educators regarding the use of preferred pronouns for students without parental consent. Although Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, its framework was developed by former officials from his administration.
Trump’s Proposal for the Department of Education
A notable aspect of Trump’s platform includes advocating for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education to shift educational authority back to state governments. It is important to note that while the Department of Education plays a role in federal education policy, it is not the primary source of funding for K-12 education, which typically comes from state and local governments. In contrast, Harris has pledged to maintain the department, citing its essential role in supporting public education.
Educational Proposals and Teacher Certification
Trump’s educational proposals also include the establishment of a body to certify teachers based on patriotic values, a revision of tenure policies, and allowing parents to have a say in selecting school principals. His campaign has suggested significant reductions to federal funding for schools that teach critical race theory and other subjects deemed inappropriate.
Democratic Agenda for Education
On the Democratic side, the platform aims to recruit additional teachers and support staff while advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions. Harris’s agenda includes promoting access to education and affordability, alongside ongoing efforts to alleviate student loan burdens, contrasting sharply with Trump’s previous attempts to repeal the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program during his presidency.
Conclusion
This evolving landscape of educational policies underscores the broader ideological divides between Trump and Harris, highlighting the contentious debates surrounding educational reform and funding as the election approaches.
(Source: Washington State Standard)