By admin 
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, education has become a vital, though less visible, policy battleground between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. While immigration, foreign policy, and the economy have dominated the candidates’ talking points, their starkly different visions for K-12 and higher education may shape the future of America’s schools. Trump focuses on parental rights and school choice, while Harris emphasizes expanding the educational investments made during the Biden-Harris administration.
Trump’s Vision: Parental Rights and School Choice
Trump’s education platform centers on his promise to “save American education.” His plan emphasizes empowering parents through greater access to school choice, advocating for “patriotic education,” and opposing what he sees as the overreach of social issues like gender and race being taught in schools. Trump’s campaign calls for a Parental Bill of Rights, which would provide transparency in school curricula and support for universal school choice, allowing parents to decide the best educational path for their children.
Trump’s national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, summarized the former president’s goals, stating that he believes in teaching foundational subjects like reading, writing, and math while steering away from topics such as gender and race, which he criticizes as being pushed by the current administration. His platform also seeks to shut down the U.S. Department of Education, shifting more power to states and local authorities.
Trump’s education plan also promotes merit-based pay for teachers, calls for schools to abolish tenure, and introduces direct elections of school principals by parents. These changes, according to Trump, would help improve academic standards and place decision-making power directly in the hands of families. Additionally, he has proposed significant funding boosts for schools that adopt these measures.
Harris’ Focus on Education Investment and Inclusivity
In contrast, Kamala Harris’ approach to education centers on continuing the unprecedented investments made by the Biden-Harris administration. The administration has prioritized funding for K-12 schools, with the Vice President casting a decisive vote to pass what is described as the largest investment in public education in U.S. history. Harris’ campaign promises to build on this foundation, expanding resources to ensure that every student has access to the tools they need to succeed.
Harris has been vocal about opposing Trump’s proposals, particularly those aligned with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda that calls for dismantling programs like Head Start and curbing LGBTQ+ rights in schools. Trump, however, has distanced himself from this initiative, despite some of its backers having served in his administration.
Harris’ platform also emphasizes improving working conditions for teachers and education support staff, ensuring they receive a living wage. This vision aims to attract more educators into the profession while enhancing the quality of teaching across the nation. Moreover, the Democratic platform rejects Trump’s calls for diverting public funding into private-school voucher programs, arguing that public education should remain the top priority and resource allocation should not discriminate.
Title IX and Higher Education: Diverging Paths
Title IX, the landmark law that protects against gender discrimination in schools, remains another point of contention between the two candidates. The Biden-Harris administration recently extended Title IX protections to LGBTQ+ students, a move that has been met with significant resistance from GOP-led states. Trump has vowed to reverse these changes if reelected, pledging to dismantle the Biden administration’s reforms on his first day back in office.
On the issue of student debt, Harris has repeatedly touted the administration’s efforts to forgive nearly $170 billion in student loans, benefiting close to 5 million borrowers. Harris’ platform also calls for continued efforts to make higher education more affordable, with a focus on reducing student loan burdens and opening up more federal job opportunities by cutting four-year degree requirements. In contrast, Trump opposes the current administration’s student loan forgiveness efforts, viewing them as illegal. Instead, he proposes establishing a free online university, the “American Academy,” which he plans to fund through taxation and litigation against large private universities.
Conclusion
The 2024 election presents voters with a stark choice when it comes to education policy. Trump’s focus on parental rights, universal school choice, and the rollback of federal involvement in education contrasts sharply with Harris’ vision of continued investment in public schools, equitable education access, and expanded protections for marginalized communities. As the candidates race toward the November finish line, their contrasting approaches to education could prove pivotal in shaping the future of America’s schools for generations to come.