In a campaign video released in September 2023, former President Trump unveiled his plans to close the Department of Education and return education responsibilities to the states. He emphasized the belief that states would be more effective in managing the education of children.
Trump also expressed his commitment to empowering parents in education decisions, stating that they should have the final say in their children's schooling. He outlined proposals to give funding preferences to schools that involve parents in selecting principals, eliminate teacher tenure for K-12 educators, implement merit pay for quality teaching, and reduce the number of school administrators.
Furthermore, the former president vowed to defund schools teaching critical race theory and gender ideology. He indicated a desire to reinstate the 1776 Commission, aimed at promoting American values and history among students.
Trump highlighted his intention to address civil rights violations related to race-based discrimination in schools and pledged to remove individuals he deemed as 'Marxists' from the Department of Education. He also mentioned plans to investigate violations of the Constitution's Establishment and Free Exercise clauses in educational settings.
Additionally, Trump proposed funding free online classes using resources obtained from private university endowments. These initiatives form part of his vision for a revamped education system that prioritizes state control, parental involvement, and adherence to specific educational principles.
