Project 2025 and the Future of Education

by Jon Scaccia November 21, 2024

Well, here we are, looking at an incoming Trump administration.

The best predictions we have so far for the policy implications for school mental health are the secretary’s (Linda McMahon) course and the 2025 Mandate for Leadership document from the Heritage Foundation, also known as Project 2025.

Project 2025 proposes sweeping changes to education policy that could fundamentally alter how schools operate across the country. Its emphasis on local decision-making and parental empowerment reflects a growing push to decentralize authority and return control to states and communities. While these ideas may appeal to those who value autonomy (the community psychologist in me loves homegrown ideas), they come with significant risks—particularly for the most vulnerable students.

Any educational reform must center on equity and human rights, ensuring that all children have access to a quality education, regardless of their identity or zip code.

The Promise of Local Control

Local decision-making can be a powerful tool for creating responsive and community-driven solutions in schools. Parents deserve to have a say in their children’s education, and educators often know best what their students need. Decentralizing education policy has the potential to foster innovation, allowing communities to address unique challenges in ways that large federal programs sometimes overlook. For example, rural districts might prioritize different resources than urban ones, and local control could make it easier to tailor approaches that meet specific needs.

However, without robust safeguards, decentralization can also lead to inequities. Communities with fewer resources may struggle to provide the same quality of education as wealthier areas, deepening existing divides. While empowering parents is an admirable goal, it cannot come at the expense of students who depend on federally funded protections.

Risks to Vulnerable Students

The Mandate’s proposal to reduce federal oversight raises concerns about how well students from marginalized backgrounds will be supported. Federal programs and regulations have historically played a critical role in ensuring that schools address systemic inequities, whether by protecting the rights of students with disabilities or enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Without these protections, there is a real risk that some students could be left behind.

Consider, for instance, the emphasis on removing federal support for curricula that include discussions of race, gender, or sexuality. These topics are not “divisive ideologies”; they are essential for fostering inclusive environments where all students feel safe and valued. Eliminating these programs could disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ students, students of color, and others who already face barriers to educational success.

Balancing Parental Rights and Student Rights

The Mandate strongly emphasizes parental rights, asserting that schools should serve families rather than impose top-down policies. While parental involvement is crucial, this approach risks sidelining the rights of students themselves. Children are not just the property of their parents; they are individuals with their own needs, identities, and rights. Any policy that amplifies parental authority must also ensure that students’ voices are heard and respected.

For example, a student who is navigating issues related to their gender identity may require school-based support that their parents might not understand or agree with. In such cases, schools must strike a balance, protecting the student’s well-being while engaging parents constructively. A one-size-fits-all approach to parental rights could inadvertently harm the very students the education system is meant to serve.

The Threat to Equity

One of the most concerning aspects of the Mandate is its push to eliminate federal involvement in setting and enforcing educational standards. While local control offers flexibility, it also risks creating a patchwork system where a child’s access to quality education depends entirely on where they live. States with fewer resources or less political will to prioritize public education could see worsening outcomes for their students.

Imagine a rural district already grappling with teacher shortages and outdated facilities. Without federal funding or oversight, that district may struggle even more to provide basic services, let alone advanced programs like STEM or the arts. The result could be a widening gap between affluent and low-income areas, leaving millions of children behind.

Moving Forward: A Just Approach to Education Reform

If the next federal administration adopts the Mandate’s recommendations, it must do so thoughtfully and with a commitment to equity. Local control can coexist with federal protections, but this requires a balanced approach. Federal policies should act as a safety net, ensuring that all students—regardless of their background—have access to a quality education. At the same time, states and communities should be empowered to innovate within that framework, addressing local needs in creative ways.

We cannot allow ideological battles over curriculum or parental rights to overshadow the real goal of education: preparing all children to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world. This means protecting the rights of marginalized students, ensuring equitable access to resources, and fostering inclusive environments where every child feels they belong.

What Kind of Future Do We Want?

As we consider the future of education policy, we must ask ourselves: Are we building a system that serves every child, or are we creating one where some are left behind? How can we balance the promise of local control with the necessity of protecting human rights? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about the future of education in America.

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