Implications of Trump’s Win on Biden’s Higher Education Policy Reform
Donald Trump’s victory in the recent presidential election signals potential rollbacks of significant reforms in Biden’s Higher Education Policy . Under Biden, initiatives aimed at student loan forgiveness, protections for LGBTQ+ students, and regulations to curb predatory practices in colleges have marked Democratic efforts to reshape the educational landscape. Trump’s victory, however, casts uncertainty on the continuity of these measures. His campaign rhetoric, alongside actions from his first term, suggests an intention to dismantle many Obama-era and era of Biden’s Higher Education Policy, focusing instead on reorienting higher education to align with conservative priorities.
The election results reflect deepening partisan divides on higher education, with clear differences in support among voters with college degrees versus those without. The president-elect’s base largely comprises noncollege-educated voters, a demographic he may leverage to chart a direction sharply divergent from Biden’s. For many higher education leaders, this shift has raised concern. Jon Fansmith, senior vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education, expressed uncertainty, noting a “trepidation” among college officials as they contemplate how Trump’s policies may reshape the sector.
Calls to Abolish the Department of Education and Congressional Hurdles
Trump’s administration, along with victorious Republican congressional candidates, has reignited calls to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, established in 1979. Although Republicans have long criticized the department, successfully abolishing it would require an act of Congress—a challenging feat given the likely narrow control in the legislature. Trump’s campaign promises include moving educational responsibilities to state governments, reflecting a desire to decentralize federal oversight.
Despite these calls, the department plays essential roles, from overseeing discrimination cases in educational institutions to managing a $1.7 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Trump’s critics argue that dismantling the department could disrupt these services, especially for vulnerable students. Derrell Bradford, president of the advocacy group 50CAN, highlighted this complexity, suggesting that without the Department of Education, many conservative-led education reforms would be difficult to implement.
Prospective Changes in Accreditation and Student Rights Protections
The Trump administration’s education agenda, labeled Agenda47, includes plans to overhaul college accreditation, a process currently overseen by independent agencies. Trump has criticized accreditors for enabling what he views as a “radical Left” influence over campuses and has committed to targeting these agencies in the coming term. This stance aligns with Republican efforts to decrease perceived ideological bias in higher education and enforce stricter standards on colleges.
Trump’s victory also raises questions about the future of Biden’s policies on student loan forgiveness and LGBTQ+ protections. During his first term, Trump rolled back similar initiatives introduced by Obama, favoring less regulatory oversight for colleges. As Trump’s team pushes for changes, experts like Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, anticipate a “moral distress” among college leaders navigating these reversals. Additionally, recent Supreme Court rulings that have limited federal agencies’ regulatory powers could further hinder efforts by Trump’s administration, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding higher education’s future under his leadership.
