Kim Severson

So people who took jobs at these nonprofits that Trump doesn't like, with the promise of having their loans forgiven, would no longer get that benefit?

So people who took jobs at these nonprofits that Trump doesn't like, with the promise of having their loans forgiven, would no longer get that benefit?

So Trump is already infusing the American education system with his new vision of what public education should be.

So Trump is already infusing the American education system with his new vision of what public education should be.

So, Dana, I imagine that when any new administration comes in, the priorities of each department will change a little or even a lot. But it sounds like what you're saying with regards to Trump and the Department of Education is that something much deeper and much more fundamental is going on here. Help me understand how we got here.

So, Dana, I imagine that when any new administration comes in, the priorities of each department will change a little or even a lot. But it sounds like what you're saying with regards to Trump and the Department of Education is that something much deeper and much more fundamental is going on here. Help me understand how we got here.

So essentially, the Department of Education got woven into the body politic as we know it, right?

So essentially, the Department of Education got woven into the body politic as we know it, right?

Yeah, that is an image that is just seared into the minds of a lot of people. Okay, so after George W. Bush, we come to Obama. And what was his vision for American public education?

Yeah, that is an image that is just seared into the minds of a lot of people. Okay, so after George W. Bush, we come to Obama. And what was his vision for American public education?

Okay. So what happened? What changed?

Okay. So what happened? What changed?

Okay, so how did we go from there to where we are now?

Okay, so how did we go from there to where we are now?

OK, Dana, you told us about the investigations the Department of Education has already opened. So Trump is actually embracing the powers of the Department of Education, even as he's talking about eliminating it.

OK, Dana, you told us about the investigations the Department of Education has already opened. So Trump is actually embracing the powers of the Department of Education, even as he's talking about eliminating it.

This feels like a big change. And for many parents who send their kids to public schools, should they strap in for a radical shift in what public school is in America?

This feels like a big change. And for many parents who send their kids to public schools, should they strap in for a radical shift in what public school is in America?

Dana, thanks for coming on the show.

Dana, thanks for coming on the show.