Trump’s school funding cuts clash with ESSA’s limits on federal control over education. (AP Photo)

President Donald Trump‘s proposal to cut federal funding from schools that incorporate educational materials or curricula he disapproves of has raised alarms about a potential clash with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA, passed in 2015, was a major shift in US education policy, aiming to reduce federal control over local education and give states more authority in determining how their schools operate. Trump’s push to withhold federal funds based on the educational content used by schools directly challenges this framework, igniting a debate about the limits of federal power in shaping the nation’s education system.
At the heart of this conflict lies the broader issue of curriculum control, which has long been a point of contention. Under ESSA, federal oversight of school curricula is specifically prohibited. This marks a shift from earlier initiatives like the No Child Left Behind Act, which imposed strict testing requirements on schools. As part of efforts to ensure students were prepared for college and careers, the federal government introduced Common Core standards in 2009. Common Core set uniform expectations for what students should know in English language arts and mathematics, aiming to raise educational standards nationwide. However, the initiative sparked significant backlash, particularly from those who saw it as a federal overreach into state and local education systems. Critics argued that it imposed rigid requirements that didn’t suit the needs of individual communities.
Federal vs. state control of education
One of the most significant issues at stake in this debate is the balance between federal and state control over education. ESSA was designed to limit federal influence by allowing states to set their own academic standards and assessments. As reported by Forbes, the law clearly states that the federal government cannot mandate or control the specific content or curriculum used in state or local schools. Trump’s proposed executive orders to tie federal funding to adherence to a specific set of educational standards could violate this core principle of ESSA, which seeks to safeguard local control over educational decision-making.
By proposing to cut funding for schools that do not comply with certain educational materials, Trump’s actions could directly conflict with the intent of ESSA, which restricts federal authority over local curriculum decisions. This raises questions about the constitutionality of such moves and whether they are legally permissible under current law.
The challenge of curriculum oversight
Trump’s proposal also introduces a challenge in terms of curriculum oversight. ESSA specifically prohibits the federal government from enforcing national educational standards, leaving that responsibility to the states. The law was a response to the controversy surrounding initiatives like Common Core, which critics argued were federal overreaches. According to Forbes, Trump’s plan to withhold funding from schools that adopt certain materials or teaching methods closely resembles federal efforts to impose national standards, which are prohibited under ESSA.
The issue of curriculum oversight has long been a contentious one, with debates over whether the federal government should have any role in shaping what is taught in schools. Trump’s push to influence educational content through financial penalties may reignite this debate, further complicating the federal-state relationship.
Trump’s funding strategy and enforcement challenges
Trump’s strategy to reshape education also includes the potential dissolution of the Department of Education, a move that would further complicate enforcement of his education policies. As reported by Forbes, Trump has proposed transferring the department’s functions to other government agencies, potentially bypassing ESSA’s protections against federal control.
However, even if he succeeds in altering the structure of the Department of Education, enforcing his vision of curriculum control would face significant hurdles. As Forbes pointed out, with thousands of local school districts across the country, managing educational content from Washington, D.C., would be incredibly difficult. The decentralized nature of US education makes it unlikely that any federal agency could effectively enforce such policies on a nationwide scale.
Ultimately, Trump’s proposal to cut school funding based on curriculum choices could spark a significant legal and political battle. It raises important questions about the boundaries of federal authority and the future of local control in US education. As the debate unfolds, the clash between ESSA’s protections and Trump’s education reforms will likely continue to shape the conversation on the direction of the nation’s schools.