Will Project 2025 Be The End Of Public Education?
At the time of writing this, November 2024, Project 2025 has not been enacted and is still a proposal. Honestly, I hope I look back and the blog posts on this topic are obsolete. However, it seems that not enough people know what's going on behind the scenes with this mega-funded proposal that now has a high likelihood of entering our U.S. government. In writing about this, my hope is to spread education and awareness and encourage families to build strong community and take any necessary proactive steps. It sucks to have to even think about this stuff, but ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to our children's futures.
The Future of Education Under Project 2025: What Parents and Educators Need to Know
When we think about education, it’s often with a sense of anticipation and hope. Our kids’ learning environments are crucial not just for academic development but for nurturing values, curiosity, and well-rounded growth. But recent discussions around Project 2025, a policy agenda driven by The Heritage Foundation and aligned conservative think tanks, have highlighted some shifts in how we might approach education in the coming years. Let’s take a closer look at the educational reforms proposed and what they could mean for families, teachers, and local school systems.
(If you want to know more about Heritage Foundation or Project 2025, you can get info with a Google Search and access their webpages. Personally, I didn't want to elevate their rankings with another backlink so I chose not to link to them.)
1. The Potential End of the Department of Education
A cornerstone of Project 2025’s plan is to move toward eliminating the federal Department of Education, placing more control in the hands of state and local governments. This approach reflects a belief that education should be a state-run initiative rather than managed on a national level.
On one hand, more localized control could theoretically allow states to tailor educational systems to fit their unique populations better. Proponents argue that it could cut down on bureaucratic red tape, making it easier for schools to respond to the needs of their communities. But let’s also consider the risks: federal oversight plays a huge role in ensuring educational equity across states. Without that guiding hand, there’s a real concern that disparities in school quality, resources, and teacher pay will grow wider across state lines, leaving some students — often in already under-resourced communities — with fewer opportunities.
2. Promoting School Choice and Vouchers
Project 2025 places a strong emphasis on expanding school choice through voucher programs that would let families use public funds for private and religious schools. In theory, school choice gives parents the option to select a school that aligns with their child’s needs and family values, which can be especially beneficial in areas where public schools are struggling.
The flip side? These programs often pull funding away from public schools, which serve the majority of children, especially those in low-income areas. When public dollars are diverted, the schools left behind may suffer from a lack of resources, leaving teachers and students in increasingly difficult conditions. Critics argue that widespread voucher programs could worsen educational inequality and limit the opportunities available to students who stay in the public system. As parents, it’s important to question who benefits from school choice policies and whether they genuinely serve the collective educational needs of all kids.
3. Shifting Higher Education Priorities
Project 2025 also proposes significant changes in higher education, specifically focusing on reducing federal support for student loans. Instead of federal loans, students would turn to private loans or scholarships, with the aim of curbing what they see as “excessive” federal involvement in higher education.
For families with college-bound kids, this could mean higher borrowing costs, depending on private lenders’ rates and policies. There’s also a push toward job-oriented education, with less emphasis on the liberal arts and more on technical and vocational training. This focus might support graduates’ entry into a tech-heavy job market, but it also raises questions about the holistic value of a college education and the opportunities it’s supposed to provide for growth, exploration, and critical thinking. In an ideal world, education prepares our kids for life — not just a paycheck.
4. Curriculum Reforms: A Shift to “Traditional Values”
Education, at its best, empowers students to think critically about themselves, their communities, and the world. Project 2025, however, proposes curriculum reforms with an eye toward “traditional values.” Advocates argue that schools have become too influenced by progressive ideologies and propose returning to a curriculum focused on American history and “individual responsibility.” (Isn't it wild how out of touch these people are with actual American history, though. WTF.)
This sounds appealing to those who feel schools have shifted away from core academic subjects. Yet, the reality is that history, civics, and social studies are inherently complex topics that benefit from diverse perspectives. Limiting curriculum to a single narrative could restrict students' exposure to different worldviews, which is essential for developing well-rounded, empathetic adults. This area of reform raises important questions about whose values are prioritized and whose histories are told.
5. The Impact on Teachers and Their Unions
Another focus of Project 2025 is to reduce the influence of teachers’ unions, which have traditionally played a strong role in negotiating pay, benefits, and work conditions for educators. Proponents argue that teachers' unions sometimes block educational reform efforts, particularly when it comes to holding teachers accountable.
However, teacher unions are also a critical line of defense for maintaining fair pay, job security, and safe working conditions — protections that directly affect the quality of education kids receive. Reducing union influence could make it easier to dismiss teachers and introduce performance-based pay models. But it’s also crucial to consider that weakening teacher protections could lead to higher turnover, fewer benefits, and less stability for educators, which inevitably trickles down to the students they serve.
We NEED kids to have diverse educational opportunities
Looking Ahead: What Families Can Do
These potential changes from Project 2025 could reshape the educational landscape in profound ways. As parents, guardians, and citizens, it’s essential to remain informed and actively participate in the ongoing conversation. Whether you agree or disagree with the proposed reforms, having a say in our children’s education is critical.
Stay engaged with local school boards and community forums where these discussions are often happening. Listen, going to school board meetings can be scary, boring, and intimidating. But do it. Bust the fear bubble and make your voice heard. The people who have time to prioritize these meetings are often those without children whose future is at stake. We need more parental voices.
Advocate for educational equity by supporting policies and programs that aim to give every child a fair shot at a quality education, regardless of their zip code.
Talk with your kids’ teachers to understand how these changes could impact their classrooms and their work. Build teamwork with your school and staff- as a previous teacher I can say 95% of them are there because they cherish the future generations and not for the high pay (lol) or high respect the job gets.
The future of education may be uncertain, but when we remain engaged, we can work together to shape a system that truly benefits all students.
If this all feels like... a lot... and you want to process it with someone, reach out to me. I offer single-session coaching and ongoing coaching and am here to help support you as you put your boots on the ground to make the world a better place.