### Trump and Vance Propose Major Overhaul of U.S. Education System

In a bid to transform the American education system, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, are advocating for substantial changes to both K-12 and higher education. The pair have voiced strong criticism of current educational practices and are pushing for reforms that would shift control from the federal government to individual states.

Central to Trump's education platform is the proposal to eliminate the federal Department of Education. This controversial move, which has been a long-standing goal for many Republicans, aims to give states complete autonomy over educational policies. However, this ambitious proposal is likely to face significant opposition in Congress. Trump has also shown strong support for the privatization of K-12 education through mechanisms such as school vouchers, allowing public funds to be used for private schooling.

Trump and Vance have also been vocal critics of practices within both K-12 and higher education institutions that promote racial diversity, transgender protections, and what they describe as "indoctrination" of students with political material. The candidates argue that such policies detract from preparing students for the workforce. In a video released in September 2023, Trump stated, "Our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work."

While Trump’s first presidential campaign included child care policy proposals, the issue received less attention during his presidency. Nonetheless, there were efforts made to address child care needs. For instance, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed by Trump increased the child tax credit to $2,000 per child, although research indicated that the benefits skewed towards higher-income families. During the pandemic, the CARES Act, also signed by Trump, provided a $3.5 billion boost to the Child Care and Development Block Grant to support essential workers' child care needs.

Regarding family leave and tax credits, Trump backed a bipartisan paid family leave bill in 2020, though it offered more limited benefits compared to other proposals. In contrast, Vance has been pushing legislation that supports parents who choose to stay at home with young children. In 2023, he co-sponsored a bill to prevent employers from recovering health care premiums if an employee on family leave opted not to return to work. Vance has also advocated for increasing the child tax credit to $5,000 per child.

Trump's stance on artificial intelligence has seen varied actions. He previously directed federal agencies to enhance AI research and development, resulting in a $140 million investment in AI research at universities. However, he has expressed intent to reverse an AI executive order signed by President Biden, arguing that it hampers innovation. Both Trump and Vance have advocated for reduced regulation of AI technology, diverging from current calls for stricter regulations.

The Republican ticket also espouses strict immigration policies, including mass deportations of undocumented individuals. This stance aligns with recommendations from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which challenges the Supreme Court decision that ensures free public education for all students irrespective of their immigration status.

As the election approaches, further details of Trump and Vance’s education plans are anticipated, potentially setting the stage for significant changes in U.S. educational policy.