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Trump administration expanded educational opportunities by initiating over 111 new programs

Trump's administration has initiated over 111 probes targeting colleges and universities across the nation, with at least 18 of these investigations focusing on institutions in California, and two inquiries specifically targeting the California Department of Education.

Trump administration expands access to over 111 educational initiatives
Trump administration expands access to over 111 educational initiatives

Trump administration expanded educational opportunities by initiating over 111 new programs

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The Trump administration has proposed significant changes in both K-12 and higher education, with potential implications for federal oversight, funding, and policy.

In K-12 education, one of the most notable proposals is the closure of the U.S. Department of Education. This move, which Trump reiterated in 2025, aims to shutter the department immediately. The agency, which employs over 4,200 people and manages a budget of roughly $251 billion, suggests a push to drastically reduce federal involvement in K-12 education.

In higher education, the administration has taken a more confrontational approach. For instance, it froze $2.6 billion in federal grants to Harvard University, alleging issues related to antisemitism and failures in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. This move has led to legal disputes questioning the constitutional limits of the government conditioning funding on ideological compliance, with concerns about impacts on academic freedom and research funding.

Trump’s administration also proposed legislative measures such as the Endowment Tax Fairness Act and the Endowment Accountability Act, which could impose a 21% tax on universities’ large endowments. This could potentially alter financial strategies for wealthy institutions.

For international students and workforce participation, the administration proposed changes potentially limiting the duration and eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to gain work experience in the U.S. after graduation.

While no detailed changes specific to K-12 curriculum or policies beyond the Department of Education closure proposal were found, the higher education actions indicate a focus on funding leverage and fiscal regulations to influence university policies and accountability.

Here's a summary of the proposed changes:

| Area | Proposed Change | Implications | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | K-12 Education | Close U.S. Department of Education | Reduce federal oversight, defund agency | | Higher Education | Freeze federal grants to universities (e.g., Harvard) | Legal battles on funding conditions and academic freedom | | | Endowment Tax Fairness and Accountability Acts | Tax increases on universities' endowments | | International Students| Limitations on OPT eligibility and duration | Reduced practical work opportunities post-graduation |

These proposed changes, if implemented, could mark a shift in the role of the federal government in education, with potential impacts on funding, policy, and student opportunities.

[1] U.S. Department of Education Budget [2] Harvard's Legal Battle with the U.S. Department of Education [5] Impacts of OPT Changes on International Students

  • The proposed closure of the U.S. Department of Education and the resultant reduction in federal oversight and funding may have significant implications for education-and-self-development, as this agency plays a crucial role in K-12 education.
  • The general-news today features the ongoing legal battle between Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Education, with the administration freezing federal grants over alleged antisemitism and DEI policy issues. This has raised concerns about academic freedom and research funding, as well as the constitutional limits of government conditioning funding on ideological compliance.

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