Translate

Thursday 10 November 2016

The Trump Vision for Education in America

Education is one of the Trump campaign's important positions

Until November 9, 2016, I never imagined there would be any reason to consider what Donald Trump had in mind for education in the USA. I was surprised to see that “Education” was one of sixteen important “positions” on the Trump campaign website which has now been dismantled in favour of  https://www.donaldjtrump.com (This post is updated from my original comments on November 10, 2016.)

The Trump plan has only one theme:  choice

The Trump vision for education has one theme:  “choice.”  I have to admit I find “choice” to be a very appealing notion in education, in particular because it necessarily implies variety. (Singular, silver-bullet solutions in education seem to inevitably produce more problems than solutions. See "Everything Works!") In the Trump plan, “choice” means “public or private schools,” “magnet schools and charter schools.”

What does "choice" mean in practice?

Each of these varieties of education carries its own particular baggage and connotation.  After he had spent three torturous and tedious years at a public high school which enjoyed an ambience somewhere between a gulag and maximum-security prison, my son finally agreed to transfer to a private school.  Private schools are incredibly expensive, but the best money I’ve ever spent on anything.  Short version, private schools = big money. “Magnet schools” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_school) are associated with the early days of desegregation and “busing”; meaning inner-city Afro-American kids being bused long distances out to the suburbs—a situation no-body liked apparently. Anyone with any inking about “charter schools” can predict exactly where the Trump plan is heading—the defunding and dismantling of public education.  When I googled “charter schools,” three of the first four hits to come up were ads for the CSUSA Corporation:  http://www.charterschoolsusa.com



K-12 education modeled on Trump University

The Trump vision is to turn K-12 education over to the for-profit business sector.  In other words, kindergartens, grade schools and high schools in the USA will become versions of the now-defunct Trump University which, post-election,was still on trial for defrauding students. The campaign web site provides a talking-points road map for how to get to for-profit education.

Are CEOs of charter school corporations about to get $20 billion richer?

Step one, sentence one, of the “Trump Vision”:  “Immediately add an additional federal investment of $20 billion towards school choice.” Kinda sounds good, if you don’t actually read the words.  The promise is not to add “$20 billion” to education, the money is going to “school choice” which sort of sounds like the money is going to end up in the pockets of the CEOs of the aforementioned corporations.

Is the plan to add $20 billion or cut $20 billion from education?

Where is the money coming from you might ask? Sentence two:  “This will be done by reprioritizing existing federal dollars.”  If you are familiar with how to read political bureaucratize, you will know to translate this sentence as “No-one knows”  or, more to the point, "We're not saying." Unfortunately, the most logical possibility is that the money will come out of existing education budgets.  Just in case you thought, as I did on first reading, that Trump would add $20 billion to the education budget, he is most likely (though no one knows for sure) promising to cut $20 billion from public education.

$24 billion cut from education for the poor and disabled?

On the other hand, it’s pretty hard to argue with Trump’s vision and his plan to “Establish the national goal of providing school choice to every one of the 11 million school aged [sic: school-aged] children living in poverty.”  Before we get too excited about Trump’s “vision” we should note that this is a rehash of a Republican plan presented in January, 2014.
Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), a former education secretary, and Tim Scott (S.C.), one of only two African Americans in the Senate, will propose far-reaching “choice” legislation on Tuesday that would take the $24 billion in federal money spent annually to help educate 11 million students in poverty or with disabilities and convert it into block grants to the states, among other changes. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/gop-measure-would-promote-school-choice-with-federal-funding/2014/01/27/7fd52e7e-8778-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html
Oh, oh!  Could Trump’s reprioritized, “additional $20 billion,” actually be the money now being spent on the poor and the disabled?

Defunding and dismantling of public education--by the numbers

In case my description of the Trump plan as “defunding and dismantling of public education” sounds hyperbolic, consider the numbers.  The Trump plan calls upon the states to surrender “$110 billion of their own education budgets toward school choice.”  The total budget for K-12 education in the USA now is $620 billion.  Trump is proposing that roughly 18% of the public schools’ budgets be cut.  If you think public schools in the USA are struggling now, imagine what they will look like after losing close to one dollar in every five of their funding. At the same time, we will see the proliferation of  American kindergartens, grade schools and high schools modelled on Trump University. 

Should Canadians care about the decline of education in the USA?

Should we in Canada care?  I’m not sure.  Unless of course, somewhere down the line, we are told, in the process of renegotiating NAFTA, that funding a public education system gives us an unfair trade advantage, and we will have to stop it if we want to do business with our American neighbours.

46 comments:

  1. I think Canadians will have to get used to triaging our worries about the U.S.A. and what their new President will do. We'll no doubt prioritize the things that impact us most directly: trade, immigration, industry/resources, etc. But in a country where class unrest appears to be on the rise, and students in public schools can least afford to see their funding shrink, the potential for kids being left behind should be a concern to anyone who cares about young people, in general--be they yours, mine, or ours. Great post, as usual.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Why should people go to school? What is the purpose of education? What is the rationale of education? What are the objectives of education? real estate exam prep

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. kids learning apps

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great info! I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have. penny stocks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Excellent information on your blog, thank you for taking the time to share with us. Amazing insight you have on this, it's nice to find a website that details so much information about different artists. https://www.surgeongate.org

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gaining a degree in a custom curriculum causes you build up your vocation as a specialized curriculum mentor where your activity duties may rotate around furnishing explicitly planned guidance to youngsters with inabilities. Essay writing service

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  8. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. Rishabh Public SchoolIf possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in collegepatparganj ip extension.it is useful For me Great Work

    ReplyDelete
  10. The position likewise should be the least prohibitive condition (LRE). I can even now recall my school teacher portraying the least prohibitive condition in a short story that one would not convey an automatic rifle to deal with a fly. Projects

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Remark that education is a necessary chore, yet not an end in itself. The ramifications of this is education is a procedure that prompts the creation of an item. The procedure is inadequate without the item.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Companion weight, our folks' and seniors' needs, impulses and wishes and societal patterns all assume a job in affecting us. Also, this all the time has an unfavorable impact with the understudy being unfit to adapt to the conflicting data sources and clasping under the consolidated weight. Learning

    ReplyDelete
  14. Access to Education 3.0 may be increased through venture and widespread institutionalization. On the off chance that we keep on redirecting riches toward vain objectives and corporate avarice, this open door will be lost or pitifully postponed. suppliers list

    ReplyDelete
  15. As it turned out, I picked well, and wouldn't do anything extraordinary whenever allowed the chance to turn back the hands of time. Pick well and have yourself a cheerful result too - pick instruction, for it's probably going to be the smartest venture you'll ever make in and for yourself. pharmacy career

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is among the most looked for occupations in schools and functions admirably for some hopefuls for a profession in instruction.
    dps rk puram

    ReplyDelete
  17. Colleagues fluctuate contingent upon various elements. Frequently the general instruction educator will be included, as will a guide, school therapist, and additionally a director. Groups may likewise incorporate custom curriculum and related specialist organizations.
    college dorm room

    ReplyDelete
  18. The greater part of our companions and associates originate from school, school and our working environment and education is the line interfacing these specks to each other.maxfieldhockey.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people. write a thesis

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks writing

    ReplyDelete
  21. What are the destinations of education? For what reason should guardians send their kids to class? Education is a standout amongst the most manhandled or, rather, misjudged human encounters. Best Assignment Writing Service UK

    ReplyDelete
  22. All they have done has brought about an instructive framework that keeps on bombing our childhood. From the standard Republican position of what they have done in issuing these commands they actually pushed down the open's throats confused endeavors at instruction change. TypicalStudent

    ReplyDelete
  23. The test is led at different focuses chosen by the American Council of Education (ACE). GED Classes

    ReplyDelete
  24. What was underlined was that, the candidate must be a non-proficient essential teacher who has been locked in by the Ghana Education Service, and that the candidate holds a declaration above Basic Education Certificate Examination.essay writing service

    ReplyDelete
  25. Educational way of thinking is a part of general way of thinking, it picks up quality from epistemology. It figures the points and goals or substance of education that, thusly, impact the entire learning condition, society, and who and what is to come.best essay writing service uk

    ReplyDelete
  26. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. Assignment doer

    ReplyDelete
  27. If you're thinking of going to University for 3 Years but are not sure if it is the rights fit for you, one idea i would suggest is trialling something like a Data Analytics FREE Course. After completing a course like this in only 6 weeks you are qualified to enter into the workforce on a 70k Salary. A good idea for those who are not sure if they want to spend 30k+ on University and put in a 3 year Commitment. http://bit.ly/32u55Xe

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You can continue to work as teacher or choose to work as principal or assistant principal. This degree provides opportunity to professionals to earn degree with job. You can earn this online degree in education to advance your career.What is a cover letter

    ReplyDelete
  30. Instead of taking the time required to compose and submit articles to academic diaries, which can generally be a possibility for you, discover an asset that permits you to distribute online articles. The articles you compose, which depend on your insight and experience, will permit you to contact a more extensive crowd, refine your composing abilities, and build up yourself as a topic master. I use Ezine Articles, which is an article showcasing database. https://besteducationstips.com/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Education is very extensive field and provides you several diverse opportunities. Degree holders or teachers can concentrate on early, middle or secondary students. https://gumroad.com/bizcom/p/why-assent-management-software-is-important

    ReplyDelete
  32. I was reading some of your content on this website and I conceive this internet site is really informative ! Keep on putting up. cfa level 1 notes

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for your blog. Really thank you! Fantastic.cfa level 1 practice exams

    ReplyDelete
  34. Course work includes education finance, school law, duties of principal, Best Assignment Help UK community relation and supervision of personnel. Degree needs internship experiences in school administration at administrative and principal level.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Females contain 51% of the all out populace.Education

    ReplyDelete
  36. Software engineering Assignment help concerns methods and techniques to develop large software systems. The engineering metaphor is used to emphasize a systematic approach to develop systems that satisfy organizational requirements and constraints. This chapter gives a brief overview of the field and points at emerging trends that influence the way software is developed.
    Get Connected With Our 450+ Academic Experts To Receive Custom Assignment Solutions Along With Plagiarism Reports For ScorinG good Marks, Not only this, even if you do not require a typically Do My Assignment For Me kind of service and simply need expert consultation and writing help on assignment writing styles, assignment writing guides and need free study notes to consult for your essay research writing on hundreds of topics, including Economics Statistics, Business, Management, Finance, Accounts, History,


    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you for the informative article. ufabet168 Your writing style is interesting. I liked how you explained and I really enjoyed reading this post.

    ReplyDelete
  38. That is why it is best to find a unique article writing service that will be able to help you with all of your article writing needs for a very affordable price. Best Dissertation Writing Services UK

    ReplyDelete
  39. You should therefore assess a person's skills in areas such as grammar, spelling, fluency in a language, and writing style, before hiring them as your writers. Best Essay Writing Service in UK

    ReplyDelete
  40. UFA AUTO789.COM Sign up for free, 50% bonus, with many special promotions for all members, we are the best online slots, whether it's an instant bonus of 50%, promotion 300, get 400, promotion 39, get 100, get in Apply for the first time And the right to play games, receive many prizes from UFA BET, deposit-withdraw, automatic system, do not have to inform the staff do not send slip.
    ufa auto

    ReplyDelete
  41. thanks for imparting recent updates concerning the scenario, I see attention on to gain into more.! Driver Navigator Crack

    ReplyDelete
  42. thank you for taking the develop to speak about this, I ecosystem strongly about it and praise learning extra a propos this difficulty. If accessible, as you earnings gaining, might you mind updating your blog deliberating auxiliary consent to know? it is totally harmonious to lead for me. ! Twixtor Crack

    ReplyDelete

"Three Days of the Condor" and the Tenth Anniversary of "The Sour Grapevine"

Sharing Intelligence I'm still obsessing over " sharing intelligence ."  May 15th was the tenth anniversary of this blog.  I w...