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2024 election

Education Showdown: Harris vs. Trump and Their Diverging Paths

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Education: Where do Harris and Trump stand?

As the November election approaches, education policy has become a secondary focus for both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. While they have aggressively campaigned on immigration, foreign policy, and economic issues, their visions for the education system diverge significantly.

Trump’s education platform emphasizes parental rights, universal school choice, and the promotion of “patriotic education.” Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, stated that by increasing access to school choice and supporting effective teachers, Trump aims to enhance academic excellence for all students. Leavitt further criticized the Biden Administration for emphasizing topics like gender and race over fundamental subjects such as reading, writing, and math.

Conversely, the Harris campaign has highlighted significant investments made under the Biden-Harris administration. Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for Harris, pointed out that this administration has enacted the largest K-12 investment in U.S. history, criticizing Trump’s proposals to cut billions from local schools and shut down the Department of Education. Harris aims to build on these educational investments, ensuring that every student has the necessary support and resources to succeed.

Trump has called for disbanding the U.S. Department of Education, advocating for a shift of educational responsibilities back to the states. Despite this, Harris firmly stated at the Democratic National Convention that such changes would not go unchecked.

Trump’s education plan includes creating a new credentialing body for teachers who align with “patriotic values.” His proposals suggest abolishing teacher tenure and implementing merit pay, while also reducing the administrative workforce within schools. Critics argue that these suggestions reveal a lack of understanding of public education dynamics.

In contrast, the Democratic platform emphasizes the recruitment of qualified teachers and support staff, alongside commitments to ensure living wages for those working in schools. The Democrats also oppose school vouchers and related schemes, insisting public funds must not divert from public education.

On Title IX, the Biden-Harris administration has enacted regulations to extend protections for LGBTQ+ students, a move that faces legal challenges from several GOP-led states. Trump has pledged to reverse these regulations if re-elected.

Debt relief remains a focal point in Harris’s campaign. She has highlighted the administration’s efforts to provide nearly $170 billion in relief to millions of borrowers, positioning education debt as a key issue. Trump has criticized these initiatives as illegal, expressing intentions to repeal the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program established during his tenure. He proposes the creation of the “American Academy,” a free online institution funded through taxation on large private university endowments.