Six months into the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Education has taken a sharp turn away from the policies of the Obama era. Under secretary Betsy DeVos, the department has scrapped guidance on transgender students’ rights, relaxed rules for for‑profit colleges and pushed for voucher schemes that would shift public funds toward private and charter schools.
Critics say these changes prioritise privatisation over student protections. By reversing Obama‑era Title IX guidance on handling sexual assault cases and scaling back civil rights investigations, the department is leaving universities and schools uncertain about how to safeguard vulnerable students. Proposed budget cuts and a renewed emphasis on school choice could also deepen inequalities in access to quality education.
Supporters argue that DeVos is restoring local control and limiting federal overreach, but the debate over vouchers and deregulation continues to divide educators and parents. For a more detailed look at the department’s actions, you can read the Guardian’s US education coverage and the BBC’s US politics section.
Source: Politics | The Guardian
