Trump Issues Executive Actions Targeting Colleges and Schools
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump unveiled a series of executive orders designed to enhance oversight of U.S. colleges and educational institutions. These actions represent a significant push against what the administration refers to as “wokeness” and diversity initiatives in education, particularly at institutions perceived as liberal.
Increased Scrutiny of Foreign Financial Ties
One of the primary focal points of Trump’s orders is the enforcement of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which mandates that colleges disclose certain financial relationships with foreign entities. The White House has highlighted concerns regarding financial ties with nations deemed adversarial, such as China.
Recent allegations against Harvard University have heightened the spotlight on this issue, with claims that the institution has not adequately reported foreign gifts and contracts valued above $250,000. In response, the Education Department has requested a decade’s worth of financial records from Harvard, emphasizing a commitment to enforce these rules rigorously. Trump’s directive aims to eradicate perceived opacity regarding foreign funding within U.S. educational institutions and to prevent foreign exploitation.
Reform of Accrediting Bodies
Another significant element of the executive order is aimed at the accrediting bodies that set standards for colleges that participate in federal student aid programs. Trump has been vocal about his belief that this sector is influenced by what he terms “Marxist” ideologies.
The order calls for a reevaluation of the role of accreditors, specifically urging them to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements in favor of prioritizing student outcomes. The administration proposes making it easier for new accrediting agencies to gain recognition, proposing that the current approval process is overly burdensome and inefficient.
Shifts in School Discipline Policies
In addition to higher education reforms, Trump’s executive actions extend to K-12 schools. The president directed the Education Department to implement policies favoring traditional discipline methods, which focus solely on student behavior rather than equity considerations.
This directive reverses prior guidance from the Obama administration, which aimed to address disparities in school discipline that disproportionately affected minority students. The new policy seeks to eliminate the use of “disparate impact theories,” which allowed for challenges to practices that may unintentionally disadvantage certain student groups. The potential implications of this shift are significant, particularly for ongoing discussions surrounding the “school-to-prison pipeline” phenomenon.
Introduction of New Initiatives
Trump’s orders also encompass various new initiatives, including:
- Establishment of a federal task force to introduce artificial intelligence training for students from an early age.
- Creation of a White House initiative aimed at enhancing support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), promoting partnerships with the private sector.
Conclusion
These executive actions herald a contentious shift in educational policy, with the potential for significant impact on how colleges and schools operate. Critics may view these measures as an infringement on efforts to promote inclusivity and equity, while supporters argue they are necessary to restore traditional values in education.
