NEW YORK POST: Trump’s Educational Freedom Stance Resonates with Voters
Dr. Keri D. Ingraham in the New York Post delves into the stark contrast between the 2024 educational platforms of major political parties. With Kamala Harris’ campaign closely aligned with the priorities of teachers’ unions, such as the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), her support for public schools and opposition to school choice policies faced stiff resistance from voters. Former President Donald Trump, by contrast, championed educational freedom and universal school choice.
Dr. Ingraham writes:
“In a powerful statement, Trump declared his position on education freedom with compelling clarity, ‘A child’s fate should be determined by their love of education, by their parents, by so many factors. But it can’t be determined by a ZIP code. And no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing government-run school.’”
The article highlights how parents, disillusioned by prolonged public school closures and the politicization of education during the pandemic, flocked to alternative learning options. This demand prompted Republican-led states to expand school choice programs. Notable milestones included West Virginia’s 2021 universal school choice law and Arizona’s groundbreaking legislation in 2022. Trump’s campaign support for these policies resonated with parents frustrated by the limits of traditional public schooling. Dr. Ingraham explains further:
“Parents by the masses began to recognize that there was a better way than having their children trapped in a closed school or a school failing to provide effective academic learning, and they wanted options. Conservative legislators—free from political ties with the teachers unions—took notice of their constituents, and in turn, many acted, working to advance school choice legislation.”
For Christian education, this focus on parental choice represents a potential boon. Families prioritizing values-based instruction can now access opportunities previously reserved for wealthier households. By enabling faith-centered schools to compete on equal footing with public institutions, these policies could usher in a new era of educational freedom aligned with Christian values.
Read the full story here.
