America First vs America Last: K-12 Education Reforms

Issue

America Last Policies

America First Policies

Education Approach

Emphasized federal involvement in education with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Reduced unnecessary federal oversight, empowered the states, and promoted school choice and parental rights.

Funding

Allocated over $170 billion in additional federal funds for public schools, yet student outcomes have declined.

Proposed an additional $20 billion increase in Title I funding to address educational inequities.

Cut federal education funding and redirected resources toward school choice.

Focused on reducing administrative costs and prioritizing traditional education.

School Choice

Deprioritized school choice in favor of funding failing public schools.

Restricted funding for charter and private schools.

Supported and expanded school choice so that every family has the funds to send their children to the school that fits their needs.

Parental Rights

Minimized parental involvement by limiting access to curriculum and child status.

Strongly emphasized parental rights, making parents the primary decision-makers regarding their children’s education.

Teachers’ Unions

Strongly supported leftist teachers’ unions, bolstering their influence and protecting their tenure.

Held teachers’ unions accountable and advocated for reduced union influence and increased flexibility in hiring and firing.

Federal Oversight

Used federal authority to maintain significant oversight and control over state education policies.

Reduced federal influence, giving more autonomy to local school districts.

Career and Technical Training

Heavily invested in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs without clear accountability for outcomes. Focused on expanding CTE programs rather than ensuring they prepare students for successful careers and higher education.

Emphasized CTE and apprenticeship investments with measurable results. Students gain technical skills and are well-prepared for real-world employment, ensuring taxpayer dollars are well spent and students are set up for success.

Achievement

Lower student performance in math, reading, and U.S. history for fourth and eighth graders.

Higher student performance in math, reading, and U.S. history for fourth and eighth graders.