Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump did not emphasize education policy during his campaign, though he proposed a $20 billion program to promote school choice, derided Common Core, and even floated the idea of eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. As for higher education, Trump expressed concern over student debt and proposed a partial loan-forgiveness program. Observers suggested that,  as president, he might roll back Obama’s tough enforcement guidelines on campus sexual assault. How have Trump’s policies stacked up against promises in his first year as president? What effect has his administration had on the nation’s schools and colleges so far?

In this forum, Lindsey M. Burke of the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy argues that the administration has already made some positive strides, while Shavar Jeffries, president of Democrats for Education Reform, contends that Trump’s policies have only harmed children and schools.

A Strong Start on Advancing Reform
by Lindsey M. Burke

Harmful Policies, Values, and Rhetoric
by Shavar Jeffries

This article appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of Education Next. Suggested citation format:

Burke, L.M., and Jeffries, S. (2018). Trump and the Nation’s Schools: Assessing the administration’s early impact on education. Education Next, 18(3), 58-65.