Education may come up in this race as former teacher Gov. Tim Walz completes the Democratic ticket.
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, outlined his intentions for education policy in Agenda 47. Apart from the frequently discussed Project 2025, Agenda 47 addresses the official policy platform of Trump on matters such as immigration, health care, and crime. Agenda 47’s ten suggestions for “great schools leading to great jobs” include curriculum mandates and special support for educational institutions that offer internship programs.
According to Jon Valant, director of the Brookings Institution’s Brown Center on Education Policy, this election is crucial for educators. Teachers have had a difficult few years due to the epidemic and the culture wars, and he believes that Trump’s promises are improbable.
In an interview, Valant stated, “These are all more about politics than policy.” “My worry is distraction, these types of proposals… they’re averting people’s eyes from what we should actually be talking about.”
The largest teachers’ organization in the United States, the National Education Association, has endorsed Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris. NEA President Becky Pringle stated that Trump’s objective stems from his appointment of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education throughout his tenure in government. In order to address the teacher shortage, Pringle expressed her hope for an administration that will assist educators in receiving greater resources and respect.
Pringle explained that they want more educators in positions of public service. “When I started teaching many years ago… I didn’t really have a clue every decision that was made about my kids, my classroom, my colleagues, was made by someone who was elected or appointed to some position of power,” Pringle said. “We will have an educator in the White House.”
According to Agenda47, below are a few of Trump’s suggested education reforms that will affect educators and educational institutions:
Tim Walz’s career path: from high school teacher to vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris
Give priority to institutions that have eliminated teacher tenure
“To reward good teachers, President Trump will implement funding preferences and favorable treatment for states and school districts that abolish teacher tenure for grades K-12, adopt Merit Pay to reward good teachers and give parents the right to vote for the principals who direct their children’s education.”
How we got here: Because this concept is generally well-liked by conservatives, Valant referred to it as “an oldie but a goodie for conservative education reform.” A decade or two ago, a number of states attempted to change teacher tenure by lengthening the probationary term; but, as other issues pertaining to education have gained more attention, the push has waned.
