Since Donald Trump began his second presidential term just a few weeks ago, America’s public has witnessed the signing of numerous executive orders attacking educational curricula and policies. While we feel Trump’s orders at large are troubling, we are particularly concerned by the Trump administration’s approach to education. With his administration calling for the dismantling of the Department of Education (DOE), such an action would have an immensely negative impact on the continuation of important programs. Further, we think Trump’s agenda speaks to a far more disturbing motive, one that seeks to dominate the minds of American students.
The Trump administration’s plan emphasizes content restrictions and calls for the dismantling of diversity teaching in educational settings. Trump is pushing for cuts to federal funding for schools or programs with curriculums that include critical race theory, “gender ideology” and other topics having to do with race, gender, or LGBTQIA+ material. Those in support of dismantling DOE are vocal about embracing an “American way of life” as the reason for such drastic change. However, we completely oppose such a standpoint and believe that if our government truly wants to embrace an American way of life, then they must allow for all diverse populations in our country to be accepted, and support their existence through the policies and plans proposed by the administration.
Instead, one of the main motives behind the Trump administration’s approach to education is an attempt to “end radical indoctrination,” according to one of the many executive orders signed by the President. The order serves to “instill a patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand.” What’s clear to us here is that the Trump administration isn’t battling indoctrination in schools, it’s attempting to implement it. Indoctrination is defined as “the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically. Attempting to implant a particular view of the U.S. government in the minds and hearts of young people is in and of itself, indoctrination. Instead of shying away from the wrongdoings committed historically by the United States, we should prioritize educating students. We feel that doing so can stop history from repeating itself, and foster diverse communities within American culture.
However, the motivation to exclude diverse identities in U.S. education has already had an impact on institutional communities, such as at Grand Valley State University. On Feb. 4, 2025, DOE released a statement noting a change in FAFSA form questions. The release explicitly reads as follows, “FAFSA forms will rightfully reflect the biological reality that there are only two sexes: male and female. Department officials will remove “nonbinary” as a gender identification option from the current year’s FAFSA form.” We find this change highly relevant, considering a 2022 Pew Research report noted that roughly 5% of young adults in the United States self-identified as nonbinary or transgender. This is an extremely disappointing example of flattening culture by erasing inclusive language in government documents.
Reflecting on this setback in visibility, we are frustrated by the lack of acknowledgment of a very real, and historically neglected margin of the population. Despite Trump’s agenda, transgender and gender-non-conforming people exist and have since the beginning of time. Such individuals are valid, contributing members of our society, and regardless of the lack of support from this administration, will continue to seek out higher education. Erasing the option to disclose gender identity on government forms associated with education does not change identity, instead, it is simply an embarrassing attempt to silence a population that is already under constant scrutiny.
Ultimately, we believe that incorporating a diverse range of perspectives in education is what leads to social progress, and should not be limited by our government. Rather than stifling access to information and attempting to exclude diverse identities from the classroom, we should embrace the benefits that come from having varying cultural perspectives. Dissenting opinion is what led to the abolition of slavery and segregation, women’s suffrage and the legalization of same-sex marriage. To continue progressing as a society, the general public desperately needs to acknowledge and embrace diversity in all aspects of education rather than attempting to enforce outdated cultural norms.
