Staff Reports
In the whirlwind world of politics, Donald Trump has returned to center stage, and this time, he’s got his sights set on a major overhaul of the Department of Education. The former president is not just thinking about introducing a few changes here and there; he’s contemplating the complete dismantling of the entire department to lighten the federal education footprint. Betsy DeVos, his former education secretary and an ally in this endeavor, has voiced her support for this bold plan, signaling that the days of oversized bureaucracies may be numbered.
The recent confrontations at the Department of Education illustrate a growing divide between the parties. Democrats recently stormed the department demanding meetings, but their efforts fell flat. Angela Morfito, a former press secretary for the Department of Education under Trump, held her ground during these fiery exchanges. She pointed out that while there was a chorus of complaints about Trump’s plans, there was deafening silence when it came to actual educational disasters. She expressed frustration at the Democrats for their lack of action when reading scores plummeted and children were shut out of classrooms for what felt like an eternity due to COVID-19 restrictions. But now that Trump is looking to shake things up, suddenly, it seems the sky is falling.
According to Morfito, the demand from parents for a smaller role of the federal government in education echoes a much larger issue: how much of the education department’s $80 billion budget is benefiting students. She humorously quipped that the educational behemoth spends a ton of money but effectively educates no one. Her point is clear: why should so much taxpayer money go towards bloated bureaucracy when it could be funneled directly into classrooms, where it can make a real difference for children?
With nominations flying left and right, Linda McMahon is expected to take the helm of the Department of Education soon. Morfito is anticipating a strong start from McMahon, with a focus on cutting the waste from the federal government and empowering parents. She envisions a reformed education landscape where the U.S. leads the way in educational achievements, counteracting the troubling trends in declining standards. She claimed the current approach has robbed millions of children of the high-quality education they deserve, and that should not be the status quo anymore.
One of Trump’s major initiatives during his first campaign was to promote school choice, and Morfito believes this is pivotal. When parents can choose where to send their children, schools will have to step up their game and compete for students—no more complacency! It’s akin to choosing a grocery store; just because you live nearby doesn’t mean you have to shop there if a better option exists. This kind of competition will benefit students, whether they stay in their assigned schools or opt for alternatives.
Angela Morfito delivered her thoughts as a call to arms for education reform, emphasizing that students deserve better than the current educational system. With the pressure on schools to improve and the promise of competition being introduced, it seems the tide might be turning for students across the nation. After all, in this game of academic survival, kids should always come first!
