As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the stakes are high for K-12 education, and educators are uncertain about where to place their trust. According to Pew Research data, a significant portion of teachers (33% or more) trust neither political party to address crucial education issues like funding, teacher pay, school safety, or curriculum development. While a majority of public school teachers identify as Democrats, only 35% lean Republican, leaving open the question of which candidate will gain educators’ support.
Kamala Harris and Education Reform
The National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest teachers’ union, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in July. This endorsement is rooted in Harris’ long history of support for public education, stretching back to her time as a U.S. senator. She earned an “A” grade from the NEA for her voting record on critical education and labor legislation.
During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris advocated for a $13,500 pay increase for teachers, universal preschool, and expanded funding for Head Start programs. Under her leadership, significant funds from the American Rescue Plan were directed toward helping schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The current administration has also overseen $167 billion in student loan forgiveness, benefiting millions of Americans.
However, Dale Chu, an education policy consultant, notes that Harris’ education policies may remain closely aligned with President Biden’s, especially concerning teachers’ unions. Until Harris makes a decision on her Secretary of Education, the full scope of her K-12 policies remains uncertain.
Donald Trump’s Project 2025 and School Vouchers
Former president Donald Trump’s proposed “Project 2025” includes the controversial idea of dismantling the Department of Education, shifting control and funding of education to parents and local governments. This could endanger vital programs such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title I support for marginalized students.
Weadé James, senior director for K-12 education policy at the Center for American Progress, warns that eliminating the Department of Education could undermine protections for students with disabilities and jeopardize equitable access to education. However, some experts, like Dale Chu, believe that Trump’s plan lacks a realistic strategy to gain the necessary support to close the department, calling it a long-standing GOP goal unlikely to materialize.
One area gaining traction under Trump and other Republicans is school choice, particularly through the expansion of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). By April 2024, at least 29 states had adopted some form of ESA. These policies allow parents to use public school dollars to fund private school tuition, raising concerns about equity. James highlights that many voucher programs only cover part of private school tuition, benefiting families who can afford to make up the difference, leaving lower-income families behind.
School Choice and the Future of Public Education
The school choice movement is becoming a central topic in education policy. While school vouchers and micro-schools offer alternatives to traditional public schools, they risk diverting public funds away from the public education system, potentially exacerbating inequality. Without federal standards, micro-schools and private schools may operate with little oversight regarding curriculum or teacher qualifications, raising concerns about accountability and educational quality.
Conclusion
As educators weigh their options for the 2024 election, they must consider which candidate’s policies will support public education and respect the teaching profession. Harris offers continuity with the current administration’s focus on funding and equity, while Trump advocates for greater parental control and school choice but risks undercutting public school resources. The question remains: Who will gain educators’ trust in shaping the future of K-12 education?
