Donald Trump’s “Agenda47” has laid out his official campaign platform on various issues, including education. Separate from his “Project 2025,” Agenda47 covers Trump’s proposals for “great schools leading to great jobs.” These proposals range from curriculum requirements to preferential funding for schools with internship programs. With former teacher Gov. Tim Walz rounding out the Democratic ticket, education has become a talking point in this election.
According to Jon Valant, director at the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, this election comes at a pivotal time for educators. Between the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the ongoing culture wars, teachers have faced a rough few years. Valant believes that Trump’s proposals are more about politics than actual policy and may serve as a distraction from the core issues that need to be addressed in education.
One of Trump’s proposed education policies is to give preference to schools that abolish teacher tenure. This proposal aims to reward good teachers by implementing funding preferences and favorable treatment for states and school districts that abolish teacher tenure for grades K-12. While this proposal has been popular among conservatives in the past, Valant believes that it could exacerbate teacher recruitment and retention issues that have already been under stress in recent years.
Another proposal in Trump’s Agenda47 is universal school choice. This policy would allow parents to send their children to the public, private, or religious school that best suits their needs. While proponents of school choice argue that it provides options for kids in underperforming schools, Valant warns that expanding school choice policies could have unintended consequences, such as further segregating students based on socioeconomic status.
Trump’s Agenda47 also includes a proposal to create a credentialing body to certify patriotic teachers. This body would certify teachers who embrace patriotic values and support the American Way of Life. This proposal stems from Trump’s creation of the 1776 Commission, which aimed to counter the New York Times’ 1619 Project. Valant and NEA President Becky Pringle both express concerns that this credentialing body could be politically driven and may not have the qualifications to determine what is best for students and educators.
In conclusion, Trump’s Agenda47 outlines several education policy proposals that could have significant implications for teachers and school systems. While some of these proposals may resonate with certain political ideologies, there are concerns about how they could impact teacher recruitment, school choice, and the overall quality of education in the United States. As the election approaches, it will be crucial for voters to consider these proposals and their potential consequences for the future of education in the country.
