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Republicans attack public schools. Trump is no exception

Online Niel October 28, 2024

We must recognize the danger of allowing education to become a victim of political rhetoric. And we must continue to fight for equal access to education, not weaponize it.

Former President Donald Trump is using public education as a weapon in his campaign for the White House, continuing to fight back DEI programs and even threatening with closed the Department of Education.

He is not alone.

The Republican Party has consistently attacked public schools and teacher unions while promoting vouchers and other initiatives that drain classroom resources. The idea of closing the Department of Education it’s been a rallying cry for the GOP for decades.

I recently watched one interview with Trump on “Fox & Friends” during which he claimed, “We’re going to take the Department of Education, we’re going to shut it down, I’m going to shut it down.”

Trump’s oath reflects a larger agenda, such as that described in Heritage Foundation Project 2025aimed at reducing federal oversight in education and limiting government spending on essential services.

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Republicans have long criticized the Department of Education

The The Department of Education was established in 1979 during President Jimmy Carter’s administration to help improve access to education and increase federal funding for schools.

Republicans criticized its creation, arguing that it overstretched the role of the federal government and expanded the bureaucracy.

Although efforts to dissolve the department have been unsuccessful, the idea of eliminating it keeps alive the small government rhetoric used by the GOP during the election season.

Republicans argue that the federal presence in education stifles creativity, inflates spending and undermines local governance.

Federal oversight helps ensure equality in education

But the federal government provides funding for education which includes student loans, special education grants and Title I dollars for schools serving low-income students.

Closing the department could eliminate billions of dollars in federal money that school districts rely on.

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Since its founding, the department has enforced civil rights laws in education, ensuring that students with disabilities, minorities, and other marginalized groups receive equal treatment and opportunity.

Eliminating this oversight would eliminate federal protections for these groups and lead to more disparities in our nation’s public schools.

As Americans, we must recognize the danger of allowing education to become a victim of political rhetoric. And we must continue to fight for equal access to education, not weaponize it.

Marla Bautista is a military columnist at USA TODAY Opinion.