People rally against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The Conversation: Moves to undermine public education in the U.S. should concern Canadians
As written in The Conversation by Melanie D. Janzen and Jordan Laidlaw, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba.
United States President Donald Trump has made a series of high-profile threats against Canada and other countries since his second term began a month ago — but his proposed educational reforms also require serious attention.
Trump has promised to close the Department of Education, which enforces civil rights in education, sends funding to schools and oversees student loans.
The Associated Press reported the president’s pick for education secretary, Linda McMahon, has acknowledged that only the U.S. Congress could fully shut down the education department, but she wants to “reorient” it.
McMahon is expected to be confirmed after her nomination is considered by the full Senate.
The Legal Defense Fund, an organization that supports racial justice, has expressed concern that McMahon will support reduced federal oversight that will result in undermining civil rights protections and key federal programs.
Read the entire article at The Conversation.
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.