In a bold move that has caught the attention of parents and educators alike, President Trump is making waves in the world of education. This week, he participated in a roundtable discussion at the White House, focusing specifically on the concept of school choice. Among the attendees was Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin, a notable figure who has also been advocating for educational reforms. During the event, Trump signed an executive order aimed at redirecting federal funding to expand school choice programs. At the same time, he is working to eliminate federal funding for K-12 schools that teach critical race theory, often referred to as CRT. It’s clear that the Trump administration is on a mission to shake up the education system, much to the delight of many conservatives.
This push for change comes amid concerning news from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which recently released its latest findings. The report highlights a troubling trend: students continue to lag behind in essential subjects like math and reading, five years after the pandemic forced school closures. The results read like a not-so-great report card for America’s educational system. Eighth graders’ math scores remain stagnant compared to last year, and both fourth and eighth graders are scoring lower than in 2019. However, the reading scores tell an even grimmer story—having fallen two points since last year, with a whopping one-third of eighth graders failing to reach even the most basic level of reading proficiency. Ouch!
The situation has prompted officials from the Department of Education to describe these findings as a “heartbreaking reality” for American students. It seems that the pandemic’s aftermath continues to rattle the educational landscape, particularly affecting those students who were already struggling before COVID-19 hit. President Trump and his administration are insisting that a radical shift is required to address these issues. Their focus is on empowering individual states to tailor their educational approaches and prioritize effective teaching methods over ideologically-driven curricula.
Unsurprisingly, this shift is meeting resistance from certain quarters. Critics of the current educational policies, particularly those associated with powerful teacher unions like the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), argue that these organizations focus more on social justice issues than on teaching fundamental skills. Many conservatives believe that this emphasis on ideology detracts from what really matters: equipping children with the tools they need to succeed in life—namely, reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead of preparing students for the real world, some argue that schools have become platforms for indoctrination.
As the conversation around educational reform gains momentum, some parents are choosing alternative routes. Homeschooling has become increasingly popular among families worried about the state of public education, highlighting a clear desire for change and a more customized learning experience. While the process of reforming curricula and getting students back on track will undoubtedly be challenging and time-consuming, the growing call for a return to the basics suggests that many Americans are ready for a new direction. With leaders like Trump at the helm, the education landscape may be in for a significant overhaul.
