Trump and Education: A Call for Change
President Donald Trump has pushed Democrats into uncomfortable positions on multiple issues, such as crime rates, border policies, and the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports. However, there’s a significant issue that Trump could leverage against them—our struggling public education system. Many parents are understandably frustrated with the state of their children’s schools, and there are hints that AI could bring transformative changes, if only the teachers’ unions don’t hinder progress.
As students prepare to head back to school, the excitement of a new academic year is palpable for some families. But for others, especially those stuck in failing schools in Democratic-led cities like New York and Chicago, the sentiment is less optimistic, leaning toward a sense of defeat.
Trump Education Bureau’s Initiatives
Many of our children, particularly those from black and brown communities, find themselves falling further behind. It’s disheartening to think that excuses will be made and standards may slip, leaving parents questioning their children’s chances of achieving the American Dream.
Politicians may declare their commitment to children, yet, year after year, it appears their attention shifts to the substantial funding they receive from teachers’ unions. In the latest Mood of the Nation survey by Gallup, only 24% of Americans expressed satisfaction with public education. During the pandemic, parents witnessed firsthand what was being taught when schools switched to remote learning, and many saw issues that were deeply troubling.
Examining the Education Spending
Trump should confront the strict control of teachers’ unions and promote the potential benefits of AI in education. In New York City, the Department of Education is projected to spend over $42,000 per student this year, surpassing that of other major cities and rising significantly over the past five years. Yet, what educational benefits does this expenditure yield? Reports indicate only 33% of fourth graders in New York met math proficiency, and an even smaller percentage were reading at grade level.
It’s frustrating to think that with such exorbitant spending, many students still can’t perform at basic levels. In eighth grade mathematics, only 23% of students met national standards—does anyone even care about those left behind?
Challenges in Chicago Education
In Chicago, spending per student nears $20,000, and while funding has nearly doubled in the last decade, results remain bleak. Last year, just 29% of students could read at grade level, with only 18% proficient in math. It’s a troubling narrative, especially when considering the performance gaps among minority students. In fact, only 29% of eighth graders passed the algebra standard, and the figure drops to under 17% for black students.
Such declines in performance are unsurprising given the severe vacancies in teaching positions—41% last year, according to state reports. Equally alarming is that the chronic absenteeism rate among teachers was also around 41%. Who advocates for the minority students struggling to catch up? The teachers’ unions, it seems, are more focused on other priorities, with recent contract negotiations yielding a staggering number of demands, some of which don’t center on educational outcomes.
Unions and Their Influence
Nationally, teachers’ unions are pushing for better pay and benefits while aligning with politicians like Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson, who, while backed by union resources, may not have educational reform at the forefront of their agendas. Trump has made strides by reducing the Department of Education’s oversight and encouraging more parental involvement in educational decisions.
However, there’s still much to accomplish. Expanding school choice is crucial. Since 2021, several Republican-led states have adopted various education policies to provide families with public, private, or charter options. Intensifying competition could elevate standards and challenge public schools to improve.
The president must also uphold parents’ rights, especially concerning classroom content that some unions seem intent on obscuring. Recently, Randy Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, was seen wearing a “protect our children” T-shirt. However, it’s vital to remember: these children don’t belong to her; they belong to their families.
