Donald Trump’s Vision for Education: Ridding Schools of "Wokeness" and "Left-Wing Indoctrination"
The Plan
Donald Trump’s vision for education revolves around a single goal: to rid America’s schools of perceived "wokeness" and "left-wing indoctrination." The president-elect wants to forbid classroom lessons on gender identity and structural racism. He wants to abolish diversity and inclusion offices. He wants to keep transgender athletes out of girls’ sports.
Funding Cuts
Throughout his campaign, the Republican depicted schools as a political battleground to be won back from the left. Now that he’s won the White House, he plans to use federal money as leverage to advance his vision of education across the nation. Trump’s education plan pledges to cut funding for schools that defy him on a multitude of issues.
Executive Action
On his first day in office, Trump has repeatedly said he will cut money to "any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children." On the campaign trail, Trump said he would "not give one penny" to schools with vaccine or mask requirements. He said it would be done through executive action, though even some of his supporters say he lacks the authority to make such swift and sweeping changes.
Opposition
Trump’s opponents say his vision of America’s schools is warped by politics — that the type of liberal indoctrination he rails against is a fiction. They say his proposals will undermine public education and hurt the students who need schools’ services the most.
Proposals
Trump’s platform calls for "massive funding preferences" for states and schools that end teacher tenure, enact universal school choice programs and allow parents to elect school principals. Perhaps his most ambitious promise is to shut down the U.S. Education Department entirely, a goal of conservative politicians for decades, saying it has been infiltrated by "radicals."
Civil Rights Enforcement
Trump’s strongest tool to put schools’ money on the line is his authority to enforce civil rights — the Education Department has the power to cut federal funding to schools and colleges that fail to follow civil rights laws. The president can’t immediately revoke money from large numbers of districts, but if he targets a few through civil rights inquiries, others are likely to fall in line, said Bob Eitel, president of the conservative Defense of Freedom Institute and an education official during Trump’s first term.
Conclusion
Trump’s vision for education is to rid America’s schools of perceived "wokeness" and "left-wing indoctrination." His plan includes cutting funding for schools that defy him, abolishing diversity and inclusion offices, and keeping transgender athletes out of girls’ sports. While his proposals may be met with opposition, Trump’s authority to enforce civil rights laws and his ability to use executive action to advance his vision give him significant leverage to shape the direction of American education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Trump’s vision for education?
A: Trump’s vision for education is to rid America’s schools of perceived "wokeness" and "left-wing indoctrination."
Q: What are Trump’s proposals for education?
A: Trump’s proposals include cutting funding for schools that defy him, abolishing diversity and inclusion offices, and keeping transgender athletes out of girls’ sports.
Q: Can Trump use executive action to advance his vision for education?
A: Yes, Trump has said he will use executive action to cut funding for schools that push critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children.
Q: What is the opposition to Trump’s vision for education?
A: Trump’s opponents say his vision of America’s schools is warped by politics — that the type of liberal indoctrination he rails against is a fiction. They say his proposals will undermine public education and hurt the students who need schools’ services the most.
