Dana Goldstein

Absolutely, Kim. That is the fundamental contradiction here. Even as he talks a lot about wanting to dismantle or even abolish the Federal Department of Education inside the building with his new education secretary, Linda McMahon. They are hard at work using the investigative powers of this agency in a muscular way to achieve these sort of culture war goals.

Absolutely, Kim. That is the fundamental contradiction here. Even as he talks a lot about wanting to dismantle or even abolish the Federal Department of Education inside the building with his new education secretary, Linda McMahon. They are hard at work using the investigative powers of this agency in a muscular way to achieve these sort of culture war goals.

And I think where this could all end up is that he can drastically cut this agency. He can strip it down. He can reduce it and dismantle it and roll some of its responsibilities over to other parts of the federal government. But he can keep a core sort of heart of the agency in place that will help him pursue his goals and fulfill his agenda.

And I think where this could all end up is that he can drastically cut this agency. He can strip it down. He can reduce it and dismantle it and roll some of its responsibilities over to other parts of the federal government. But he can keep a core sort of heart of the agency in place that will help him pursue his goals and fulfill his agenda.

So I don't think that there will be much immediate impact on on public school students across the country or educators in K-12 schools. And the reason is, as we discussed, the 10% of K-12 public school funding that does come from the federal government is guaranteed to keep flowing unless Congress makes a major change. And we don't see that sort of happening right now.

So I don't think that there will be much immediate impact on on public school students across the country or educators in K-12 schools. And the reason is, as we discussed, the 10% of K-12 public school funding that does come from the federal government is guaranteed to keep flowing unless Congress makes a major change. And we don't see that sort of happening right now.

But I do think that understanding where President Trump's Republican Party is on education does does indicate where state and local education policy may be going because Republicans across the country share these goals. And this, by the way, was all telegraphed in Project 2025.

But I do think that understanding where President Trump's Republican Party is on education does does indicate where state and local education policy may be going because Republicans across the country share these goals. And this, by the way, was all telegraphed in Project 2025.

Remember that conservative blueprint that came out during the campaign for what should be done in President Trump's second term. In the Project 2025 report, they lay out a clear plan for completely abolishing the federal role in K-12 education over the course of 10 years. Right now, we're just at the beginning of the process that they envision.

Remember that conservative blueprint that came out during the campaign for what should be done in President Trump's second term. In the Project 2025 report, they lay out a clear plan for completely abolishing the federal role in K-12 education over the course of 10 years. Right now, we're just at the beginning of the process that they envision.

However, if President Trump's movement is successful, if they keep winning elections, if he can bring Republicans in Congress along with his vision, it is possible that down the line, we really would see a vast reduction in federal support for public education. And remember, that's going to most impact low-income students and students with disabilities because that's where the money is going.

However, if President Trump's movement is successful, if they keep winning elections, if he can bring Republicans in Congress along with his vision, it is possible that down the line, we really would see a vast reduction in federal support for public education. And remember, that's going to most impact low-income students and students with disabilities because that's where the money is going.

Right now, we're still pretty far from that. Eighty-four percent of American children are in traditional public schools. But President Trump's actions on education over the past weeks and months make clear he is driving toward a drastically different vision for education in America.

Right now, we're still pretty far from that. Eighty-four percent of American children are in traditional public schools. But President Trump's actions on education over the past weeks and months make clear he is driving toward a drastically different vision for education in America.

Thank you, Kim.

Thank you, Kim.