Trump's Hateful Agenda: Dismantle Public Education, Inspire Bigotry in Schools.

USA Today: Education Takes Centre Stage in US Election with Walz-Trump Face-off

With a former teacher, Gov. Tim Walz, as Kamala Harris' running mate, the USA's education system is set for a much-needed shake-up. Walz's experience in education policy offers a refreshing counterpoint to Trump's outdated and harmful proposals. In his Agenda47, Trump lays out a regressive plan that includes attacking teachers' unions, pushing for school privatization, and attempting to control how America's youth are educated. It's clear that Trump's agenda is rooted in his disastrous tenure as President, where he appointed Betsy DeVos, a notorious opponent of public education, as Education Secretary.

The National Education Association, the largest teachers' union, has rightly thrown its weight behind the Harris-Walz ticket. NEA President Becky Pringle recognizes the importance of this election for educators:

"When I started teaching many years ago...I didn't really have a clue that 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...We will have an educator in the White House."

Here's a breakdown of some of Trump's harmful education policies:

Abolish Teacher Tenure: Trump intends to "implement funding preferences for states abolishing teacher tenure," a typically conservative reform that protects against unfounded firings. This proposal, according to Jon Valant of the Brookings Institution, could further stress teacher recruitment and retention.

Universal School Choice: Trump's plan supports "universal school choice," allowing parents to use public money for private or religious school tuition. While this may seem attractive, Valant warns that it could dramatically alter the landscape of school enrollment, with wealthy students in private schools and low-income students left in underfunded public schools.

Patriotic Teachers Credentialing Body: Trump plans to "veto any effort to nationalize civics education" and create a body to "certify teachers who embrace patriotic values." This proposal, a response to the New York Times' 1619 Project, is a blatant attempt to politicize education and control the narrative taught in schools.

Becky Pringle rightfully criticized this idea, stating that Trump's appointees would be unqualified and unable to meet the diverse learning needs of students.

This election offers a clear choice for the future of America's education system: a progressive, inclusive vision offered by Harris and Walz, or a regressive, politically-driven agenda put forward by Trump.

Sources:

• USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com
• Donald J. Trump: https://www.donaldjtrump.com
• Brown Center on Education Policy: https://www.brookings.edu/research/brown-center-on-education/
• National Education Association: https://www.nea.org