With the second Trump administration officially taking off at the end of January, President Trump has signed more than 80 executive orders (EOs) as of March 3rd, the most in a president’s first 100 days in more than 40 years. Many of these EOs are either directly or indirectly related to the education system and states are responding. We’ve pulled together some of the bigger stories below:
Washington State (WA) –
The Washington State senate has passed a bill, effectively making changes to parental rights in education. Democrats were able to pass the bill on a party-line vote, given that the party has control of the state senate. The changes include removal of parental notice for medical procedures or treatments of children, angering Republican officials in opposition to the passage of the bill.
After passage of the bill, there will also be protections against parents reviewing school curriculum and classroom standards, as well as preventing parents from accessing student records. Proponents of the bill argue that it allows young adults to make decisions about their own medical needs and bodily autonomy, but opponents argue that the bill is too bureaucratic and puts an unnecessary wedge in between parents and their children.
Washington Senate passes changes to parental rights in education
California (CA) –
California Department of Education officials are vowing to take on the Trump Administration and proposed cuts to the Department of Education both in-state and nationwide. These efforts come in response to President Trump’s executive orders against DEI and making reforms in education throughout the country. Some of these changes include safeguards against sex change operations for minors and parental notification for such procedures.
In addition, President Trump has stated that he wishes to make Title IX reforms, including civil liberty protections for biological women and girls, especially in sports against biological male competitors. Opponents argue that transgender athlete rights are not being recognized due to President Trump’s orders and that parents should not have input into what is being taught in classrooms.
California school official warns blue states will fight Trump’s gender orders: ‘We have to armor up’
Colorado (CO) –
In Colorado, the Denver Public School District is the first in the country to sue the Trump Administration in retaliation against ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) measures that would allow agents to enforce immigration laws throughout the United States. The suit is arguing that spaces such as schools and churches are designated as ‘sensitive spaces’ and should be off-limits for ICE enforcement.
This policy was first proposed in 2011 by then-president Barack Obama and has long been a priority for Democratic politicians in order to protect migrant rights in policy debates. School officials argue that potential ICE raids in classrooms would disrupt learning and teaching throughout the state and country at-large. ICE agents would need a warrant from a judge in order to legally enter these spaces.
Michigan (MI) –
Education leaders in Michigan have rallied around a united front in order to push back against Trump Administration education proposals and policies, including abolishing the Department of Education and privatization efforts in education. This group in Michigan includes Regina Weiss – Representative, Oak Park, the Michigan chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, and the Michigan Education Justice Coalition. Pushback has also come against some of Trump’s proposed changes to DEI programs and state leaders argue that these programs are beneficial and should be preserved in order to promote more representation and diversity in the public sector.
It remains to be seen how long this fight will last and if it will take new forms, given that President Trump will need congressional approval in order to pursue many of his plans for educational changes. Additional fights that may come down the line include funding for educational expansion, protections for students with disabilities, and teacher pay.
Michigan leaders blast Trump plans for public education, call for united front
Rhode Island (RI) –
Rhode Island state Democrat officials are pushing back against Trump Administration education proposals and policies. U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI), along with teacher’s unions in the state, are rallying together in order to fight cuts to education spending and the Department of Education itself could be on the chopping block.
Opponents of President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE plans argue that students will be at a disadvantage due to larger class sizes, fewer resources, and teacher stresses due to more demands – especially students with disabilities and from poorer backgrounds. Proponents, however, argue that Trump and Musk’s plans would lead to more school choice and educational freedom for students to choose what educational opportunities are best for them, in addition to parents having more of a say in their children’s education.
Fewer teachers, bigger classes: How Trump’s proposed education cuts would impact RI schools
New Jersey (NJ) –
New Jersey school districts are bracing for what President Trump’s education plans and proposals may mean for the state. Federal aid money could be at risk if President Trump decides to cut education funding and abolish the Department of Education, both of which he promised on the campaign trail. Teachers and education experts are sounding the alarm bell that fewer resources and cut funding would impact class sizes, educational programs may be cut, and students with disabilities may be most at risk. In addition to K-12 schools, colleges and universities would be impacted because student loans are processed through the Department of Education, in addition to educational standards nationwide and protecting the civil liberties of students throughout the country.
Trump wants to close the US Education Department. What does that mean for NJ schools?
Oklahoma (OK) –
Oklahoma state superintendent Ryan Walters is proposing regulation that would require school districts in the state to record the number of students that cannot verify their immigration status in order to account for how many students of illegal immigrants may be in OK schools. The governor and legislature must approve the proposed regulation, which would require tracking and keeping records of students in order to know school populations, classroom sizes, and the number of illegal immigrant students in schools. Opponents of the bill argue that this move would violate civil liberties, as well as Supreme Court precedent, and protests have erupted in order to keep ICE agents out of schools.
Additionally, there may be some concerns about data and privacy collection that may not be constitutionally sound. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that Walters is trying to save the taxpayers more money and make sure that schools are focusing on educating children who are currently citizens, as opposed to prioritizing illegal immigrants from other countries that can be a drain on state budgets and resources.
Oklahoma schools leader Ryan Walters moves to require students to prove citizenship
Tennessee (TN) –
Tennessee is joining a growing list of states that will be banning cellphone use inside of school buildings for students. This imperative is an important step that will hopefully lead to better focus in class and student achievement in the academic space. The bill must move through state education committees in order to become law but is gaining momentum as a common-sense piece of legislation that can win over skeptics and gain bipartisan support over time. There have been many instances of teacher complaints about cell-phone usage during class-time and so this bill is a step to remedy those worries and help create a positive learning environment. Built into the bill are exceptions for educational purposes, such as the use of phones to complete learning activities or games.
Tennessee could join Arkansas and other states to ban cell phones in schools
Idaho (ID) –
Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a bill into law, giving a boost in funding to private education and enabling parents to choose additional education options outside of the public school system. House Bill 93 allows state taxpayer dollars to fund religious, home school, and private education for educational expenses such as textbooks and tutoring services. $5000 refundable tax credits are available to parents to cover the costs and $7500 for special needs students who need more intensive services and assistance. Critics argue that the bill takes away resources from public schools but Governor Little argues that both public and private education can co-exist together. This new law will go into effect on July 1, 2025.
Legislative Notebook: Gov. Brad Little signs bill allowing state funds for private education
Texas (TX) –
Texas lawmakers are looking to put $1 billion into private school scholarships for students. This announcement is a boon to the school choice movement that gives parents more control in the education of their children and has been a Republican political priority for many years as a tool of public policy. Governor Greg Abbott will need unity in the state Legislature in order to pass the legislation, which could become the largest school voucher program in the United States of America. President Trump and his administration all support the policy, giving a boost to the Republican-leaning state and Trump has proposed for the program to be implemented nation-wide in order to give parents more choice and less pressure to be forced into public schools.
Texas is poised for a big fight over Trump’s top education priority – POLITICO
