Trump’s Educational Reforms: Abolishing the Department of Education
Former President Donald Trump, who anticipated returning to the White House, has outlined significant changes for the U.S. education system as part of his second-term agenda. Central to his plans is the potential elimination of the Department of Education (DOE). Established during President Jimmy Carter’s administration, the DOE plays a pivotal role in shaping educational policies, managing federal aid programs like Title I for low-achieving schools, and administering Pell Grants for undergraduates facing financial hardship.
During Trump’s first term, his administration proposed substantial budget cuts to the DOE. His Agenda 47 campaign underscores a belief that states, rather than the federal government, should oversee educational systems. Despite advocating for state control, Trump has also suggested federally driven content restrictions, aiming to regulate educational materials and discussions.
Content Regulations and Classroom Discussions
Trump’s Educational Reforms platform emphasizes fostering patriotism and increasing parental rights in schools, advocating for public school prayer and the dismantling of diversity initiatives. His plans also involve limiting federal funding for programs promoting what he terms “critical race theory, gender ideology, or inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content.” These proposed content restrictions mirror Republican-backed state legislation that has faced criticism for leading to ambiguous policies and potential censorship regarding discussions on race, gender, and politics.
The free-speech organization PEN America reports that during the 2023-2024 school year, more than 10,000 books were removed from school libraries due to similar policies. Trump’s Agenda 47 also mentions creating a new credentialing system for teachers aligned with “patriotic values” and reinstating the 1776 Commission, aiming to reframe U.S. history education to reflect foundational American values. The details of these values remain undefined in the campaign’s outline.
School Choice, Teacher Policies, and Higher Education
A significant component of Trump’s educational reforms is universal school choice. This initiative would enable public education funding to follow students to private schools or homeschooling options. Efforts to establish or expand such programs have met resistance; voters in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado recently opposed such measures.
Additionally, Trump’s plan proposes the elimination of teacher tenure laws, which currently require due process before a tenured teacher can be dismissed. Most states have tenure laws, though at least 10 have minimal or no such provisions. He aims to replace these protections with a merit-based pay system. While some studies suggest merit pay can improve student performance, critics argue that it fails to account for disparities in resources and funding, which can also influence educational outcomes.
For higher education, Trump has floated the creation of a government-funded institution known as the “American Academy,” which would be supported through financial penalties imposed on private universities. The move signals a shift in focus toward alternative higher education models in line with his broader reform vision.
