Trump signs executive order to strengthen discipline in U.S. schools

Read Time:1 Minute, 47 Second

On Wednesday, Donald Trump signed a new executive order aimed at restoring classroom safety and re-examine consistent discipline policies across the country. The move is designed to ensure that discipline is based on actual behavior, not on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) agendas. The executive order directs federal education officials to issue new guidelines to schools, focusing on fair and objective enforcement of discipline. The White House wants schools to stop using different policies that treat students based on race, and instead train all students in the same way, not based on their work, not who they are. The policy shift also empowers the federal government to take action against any school district or educational institution that continues to adopt race-based discipline practices. According to the government, these practices violate Chapter VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in programs to obtain federal funds. Trump claims some school systems use race as a factor in discipline to make up for racial disparities in moratoriums and deportation rates. Trump's new order requires reports to be delivered to the White House to assess how DEI-based discipline affects schools. It will also explore how to prevent the federal government from supporting any racially prioritized discipline policy, even if they are through nonprofits. The report is expected to include proposed discipline models rooted in fairness, security, and what the government calls “American values.” This is not the first time Trump has targeted this issue. Back in 2018, he removed Obama-era guidance after the federal school safety report, which urged schools to achieve equal disciplinary outcomes among racial groups. With this new executive order, Trump believes he should believe that schools should be a place of order, not a political experiment. His broader educational agenda includes reducing federal control over schools, ending vaccine requirements, banning men from participating in women's sports, and canceling DEI-based courses in class. In Trump’s words, it’s about “putting students, parents and teachers first” and ensuring every child can learn in a safe and respectful environment.

Source link