Jane Cutter, a contributor to “Socialist Reconstruction” and “Revolutionary Education,” is at the forefront of a critical examination of Project 2025, a far-right elite plan that aims to dismantle civil and economic rights established in the 1930s and 60s. This comprehensive plan, endorsed by the Heritage Foundation, seeks to reshape the landscape of education in the United States, with potentially devastating consequences for students and families.
The crisis in U.S. education is multifaceted, with a majority of parents expressing satisfaction with their children’s schools while overall perceptions of the education system remain unfavorable. Overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated school buildings, and systemic inequalities plague the current educational landscape. Project 2025’s education program, rooted in racism and discrimination, advocates for the elimination of the Department of Education and the allocation of federal education funds directly to states or districts as block grants.
The privatization of education through charter schools and voucher programs is a central tenet of Project 2025’s educational agenda. By dismantling federal oversight and promoting school choice, the plan aims to further segregate and restructure the education system along discriminatory lines. This vision of education under capitalism, as a means to produce compliant workers for the benefit of the ruling class, stands in stark contrast to the liberatory educational vision of socialists, where education is seen as a tool for empowerment and critical thinking.
Standardized testing and neoliberal education reforms have been key strategies in shaping the current educational landscape, leading to widespread discontent among teachers, parents, and students. The appointment of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education under the Trump administration accelerated the push for privatization and sparked a wave of resistance within the education community.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide reckoning with racial injustice have further highlighted the urgent need for progressive education reform. While the Democrats have positioned themselves as opponents of Project 2025, their track record on education policy leaves much to be desired. A socialist program for education envisions a fundamental reorganization of the economy, prioritizing the well-being of students, teachers, and families.
By advocating for fully funded education, smaller class sizes, renovated school buildings, and inclusive curricula, socialists aim to create a more equitable and empowering educational system. Erasing student debt, providing free access to higher education, and ensuring quality preschool and childcare for all children are key components of a socialist education program. Ultimately, the fight against Project 2025 and far-right educational reforms requires a comprehensive vision for progressive change that addresses the root causes of inequality and injustice in the education system.
