Examining Trump's Potential Education Policies in a Second Term: A Comprehensive Look at Impacts on School Choice and Student Loans

Examining Trump's Potential Education Policies in a Second Term: A Comprehensive Look at Impacts on School Choice and Student Loans

Reimagining Donald Trump's Education Agenda: Draining the Swamp and Shaking Up Higher Learning

Cielle Voulgarides promised to her supporters in a rally in Wisconsin during her 2024 re-election campaign, "We will drain the government education swamp and stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America's youth." Whether you loved or loathed this statement, one thing is for certain - the United States education system will undergo major changes if Trump secures another term as Commander-in-Chief.

Cabinet Appointments: Trump's Power Players

Trump nominated Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education for his second term. Despite facing controversy over terror links, her confirmation hearing on February 25th, 2025, saw her officially take up the position. McMahon has no directly relevant education experience, being best known for co-founding World Wrestling Entertainment with her husband. But she has been a long-time supporter and donor of Trump's causes, contributing tens of millions to Trump's campaigns, and serving as chair of the America First Policy Institute, a right-wing conservative policy think tank.

Disbanding the Department of Education

One of Trump's most prominent campaign promises has been to dissolve the Department of Education altogether. However, this ambitious plan faces stiff opposition, requiring both congressional approval and a 60-person supermajority in the Senate. Even if Trump manages to convince Congress, the support of the Democratic Party to disband the Department is virtually nonexistent.

In February 2025, a group of democratic congresspeople were denied entry to the U.S. Department of Education building by a federal employee under orders, actions seen as breaking precedent and the legality yet to be determined. Just four days later, Trump labeled the department as a "big con job" and called for its dismantling immediately. The struggle between proponents and opponents of the department has been a long-standing issue, with 62% of Democrats viewing the department favorably compared to 65% of Republicans, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center study.

The Controversial Path to School Choice

Trump signed an executive order on January 29th, 2025, for "Expanding Educational Freedom And Opportunity For Families." This order aimed to provide parents with more school choices, particularly through vouchers or equivalent Education Savings Accounts, in the hopes of giving children access to new opportunities and bolstering competition within the educational system.

While vouchers hold promise for expanding choices for parents, there is significant opposition to the policy, with the National Education Association (NEA), the largest labor union in the U.S., condemning the practice as hurting public schools by robbing them of funding in favor of private schools. The NEA's head is an outspoken critic of McMahon's appointment, stating that her mission is to eliminate the Department of Education and take away funding from public schools.

Meanwhile, Jeb Bush, former Florida governor and long-time advocate for school choice, has backed Trump's efforts to empower parents and improve educational quality.

The Voucher Gamble

Currently, there are 25 voucher programs across 14 states. Advocates define school choice as allowing parents to send their children to the school they believe is best regardless of financial barriers like private school tuition. Despite support from powerful figures such as Betsy Devos and Donald Trump, there has been little conclusive evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of vouchers in improving academic outcomes.

For instance, studies have found that low-income students receiving vouchers did not improve test score performance, with scores dipping to various degrees in three of the states, and dipping, then improving in Washington D.C., according to a Chalkbeat article on voucher programs. Information on parent and student satisfaction varies, with older research shows positive or insignificant effects on test scores and studies on smaller school choice programs not finding that they worsen segregation. However, universal programs could potentially exacerbate segmentation due to their impact on charter schools.

Censorship and Ideological Wars

Trump signed an executive order on January 29th entitled "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling," demanding that schools foster a patriotic admiration for the United States and calling out schools for indoctrinating innocent children with "radical and anti-American ideologies," such as Critical Race Theory, education about the LGBTQ+ community, and support for transgender children in schools.

State-passed gag orders on gender, race, and sexuality have resulted in a growing pile of banned books in American schools. The trend toward tighter control over the education system is expected to thrive under Trump's presidency, as on January 24th, just days after Trump's inauguration, the ED's Office for Civil Rights terminated the position of the Biden administration's book ban coordinator, who had been responsible for monitoring book bans and resolving civil rights violations related to banned books featuring minority communities.

Title IX's Rocky Road

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. The Biden administration expanded this interpretation to include protections for LGBTQ+ students, but the law has faced numerous legal challenges, with eight lawsuits filed by 26 states objecting to the interpretation. As of January 12th, 2025, a federal court struck down the Biden administration's interpretation of Title IX, citing that it exceeded the ED's authority under Title X, was unconstitutional, and was "arbitrary and capricious." The official ED ruling has resulted in wider-reaching effects on sexual assault policies at colleges.

Student Loans and the Looming Debt Crisis

Student loans are another contentious issue. Biden proposed his SAVE plan in the summer of 2023, which aims at reducing the time required for repayment and covering interest for low-income borrowers. However, the plan faced opposition, leading to a court injunction permanently blocking the entire SAVE plan on February 21st, 2025. The blocking of the SAVE plan has also resulted in the suspension of all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

Conclusion

America's education system stands on the precipice of significant change, depending on Donald Trump's re-election and his subsequent policy decisions. As voters, it is crucial to remain informed and actively engage in civic activism to shape the American education system in the best interests of its children. Time will tell how the controversial policies and executive orders of Trump's administration will transform the landscape of U.S. education.

"We will drain the government education swamp and stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America's youth." Donald Trump made this promise to a crowd at a rally in Wisconsin in September during his 2024 re-election campaign.

1. The news of Cielle Voulgarides' campaign promise has sparked a flurry of discussions about the future of the United States education system.
2. irrespective of personal opinions about the statement, it's undeniable that major changes may occur in the education sector if Trump secures another term.
3. On February 25th, 2025, Linda McMahon was officially appointed as the Secretary of Education for Trump's second term, despite no direct education experience.
4. Opinions on McMahon's appointment vary, with some viewing her as a loyal supporter and donor, while others question her qualifications.
5. One of Trump's most prominent campaign promises is to dismantle the Department of Education, a move that requires both congressional approval and a 60-person supermajority in the Senate.
6. Though seeing a Democratic consensus against the dismantling of the Department, Trump has voiced his dissatisfaction, calling the department a "big con job."
7. The ongoing struggle between supporters and opponents of the Department of Education has been a long-standing issue, with varying support levels among Democrats and Republicans.
8. Trump's aim to expand school choices for parents through vouchers or Education Savings Accounts faces significant opposition from organizations like the NEA.
9. Advocates argue that vouchers allow parents to choose the best schools for their children, regardless of financial barriers, but there's little concrete evidence supporting their effectiveness in improving academic outcomes.
10. While studies have shown mixed results, concerns about exacerbating segmentation due to the impact on charter schools persist.
11. Trump's executive order "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling" demands that schools foster patriotism and criticizes education about LGBTQ+ communities, Critical Race Theory, and support for transgender children in schools.
12. As a result, state-passed gag orders and banned books related to gender, race, and sexuality have increased in American schools.
13. The trend of tighter control over education policy is expected to continue under Trump's presidency.
14. The interpretation of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding, has faced several legal challenges, with courts striking down the Biden administration's expanded interpretation.
15. Student loans and the SAVE plan have been contentious issues, with the plan facing opposition and a court injunction, resulting in the suspension of all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.
16. Photos of demonstrations, interviews with education experts, and charts showing debt levels can provide compelling visual content to cover this complex topic.
17. An editorial discussing the potential risks and benefits of Trump's education policies could offer insightful opinion and analysis.
18. Videos featuring debates between supporters and critics of Trump's education agenda can help engage viewers and stimulate discussion.
19. In-depth research and comparative studies on the impact of vouchers on academic performance and school choice programs' effectiveness can add credibility to reporting on this issue.
20. As Trump's controversial policies take effect, ongoing coverage and updates are crucial in keeping the public informed.
21. Efforts to provide alternative perspectives and counterarguments can help balance reporting and encourage critical thinking.
22. In a video interview, McMahon could discuss her vision for education reform and address concerns about her lack of education experience.
23. Journalists can employ diverse storytelling strategies, such as profiles of families grappling with the consequences of school choice policies.
24. Highlighting the personal stories of students struggling with debt can humanize an often complex and data-driven issue.
25. An investigation into the financial ties between Trump, McMahon, and their supporters within the education industry can shed light on potential conflicts of interest.
26. Exploring the impact of dismantling the Department of Education on marginalized communities and other stakeholders is essential for informed reporting.
27. A visual feature on the history of education policy and the ongoing political debates can provide context and historical perspective.
28. Coverage of international perspectives on school choice and education reform can contribute to a broader, global understanding of the topic.
29. A deep dive into the successes and failures of voucher programs in other countries can inform ongoing discussions about the future of education in the United States.
30. Expert opinions and analysis from historians, economists, and education researchers can add depth and credibility to reporting.
31. Articles addressing the long-term consequences of Trump's education policies for the American workforce, healthcare, and societal wellbeing can foster informed dialogue and action.

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