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“Exploring the Dark Anti-Higher Education Agenda of Project 2025”

On January 6, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initiated a significant transformation at the New College of Florida (NCF), positioning the institution at the center of ongoing debates regarding education. NCF, recognized as Florida’s only public liberal arts honors college, has received favorable rankings from both Washington Monthly and U.S. News in annual assessments of higher education institutions. DeSantis appointed six new trustees at NCF, all of whom are affiliated with conservative movements concerning educational policies. Among these appointments are notable figures such as Christopher Rufo, known for his involvement in the anti-critical race theory campaign, and Charles Kesler, associated with the Claremont Institute and previously involved with Trump’s 1776 Commission.

Immediate Changes and Dismissals

The newly appointed board implemented immediate changes, including the dismissal of the previous college president and the termination of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office, as well as the gender studies program. The recent closure of the Gender and Diversity Center and the disposal of its resources have also drawn attention. Rufo expressed on social media that the closure of the gender studies program was akin to “throwing out the trash.”

A Broader Conservative Agenda

These developments at New College of Florida are perceived as a template for a broader conservative agenda intended for implementation across the country, depending on the results of the upcoming November elections.

Historical Context of Conservative Education Advocacy

Historically, conservative advocacy for education has emphasized reform efforts primarily at the K-12 level, promoting charter schools and facilitating public funding for private religious schools through vouchers. More recently, conservative factions have sought to restrict access to books in school libraries and limit discussions around race and gender issues in public education, with their focus now extending to higher education policies.

Project 2025 Overview

A key component of this movement is encapsulated in “Project 2025,” an extensive 887-page policy proposal developed by the Heritage Foundation with input from over 100 right-wing organizations. If Donald Trump were to achieve a second presidential term, the proposal details a systematic overhaul of higher education that would involve reducing federal financing for traditional liberal arts institutions, politicizing college curricula, privatizing student loan systems, and weakening protections against discrimination based on race, gender, and other characteristics.

Reallocation of Resources

One of the significant narratives promoted within Project 2025 frames liberal arts education as a hindrance to vocational training, advocating for the reallocation of federal resources from liberal arts institutions to vocational programs. This initiative aims to enhance workforce skills for individuals not pursuing four-year degrees.

Impact on Federal Employment Standards

Moreover, Project 2025 proposes that an executive order be issued to declare that a college degree would not be essential for most federal employment opportunities. While this could ostensibly broaden access to certain job markets, it raises concerns regarding the potential sidelining of qualified college graduates and a potential devaluation of liberal arts credentials. The initiative also calls for a critical reevaluation of the current accreditation system, suggesting the undermining of established accrediting bodies in favor of new, less conventional entities.

Critique of Traditional Education Curricula

Project 2025 also critiques the curricula of traditional colleges and universities as being politically biased, advocating for the integration of conservative ideologies into academic settings. Legislative measures are suggested that would reduce federal support for programs deemed leftist, particularly those related to DEI initiatives, with an emphasis on area studies programs that explore diverse cultures and societies.

Challenges to Critical Race Theory

The report seeks to delegitimize critical race theory, characterizing it inaccurately as a form of racism. The authors assert that the proposed educational reforms align with traditional American values. Additionally, the initiative risks significantly decreasing federal financial support for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, and would lead to a substantial restructuring of existing loan and financial aid systems.

Reduction of Civil Rights Protections

A notable recommendation within Project 2025 includes the reduction of civil rights protections in educational contexts and a reorganization of the Department of Education, shifting its focus to favor institutions with religious affiliations that could engage in discriminatory practices.

Future of Higher Education

The proposals outlined in Project 2025 raise critical concerns regarding the future of higher education, shifting its focus towards ideological conformity and economic considerations. This project may represent a pivotal juncture in the ongoing discussions surrounding educational governance and civil rights in the United States. Political figures such as J.D. Vance have openly expressed the necessity of addressing higher education institutions, indicating that the implications of this agenda could have profound effects on the educational landscape.

Source: Washington Monthly

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