Trump and DeSantis Take Aim at Higher Education
Unmasking the Radical Left and Questioning College Value
The fate of higher education hangs in the balance as a wave of skepticism threatens to sweep away the institutions that have long been the cornerstone of intellectual progress and personal growth. The future of learning itself is at stake as political leaders like Trump and DeSantis vow to reduce the number of colleges and universities, casting doubt on the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge. The stakes have never been higher, and the fate of generations to come may depend on the choices we make today.
When delving into the motivations behind certain Republicans’ criticism of colleges, it becomes clear that two distinct concerns are at play. First, some express a general unease surrounding the concepts of “and ensuring free speech remains intact in academia. On the other hand, valid uncertainties are raised about the value of a college education and the steps needed to guarantee a desirable financial return on investment.
Appointing qualified individuals who would enforce tangible and meaningful standards within the college system, Trump made a strong declaration in a recent website upload. He expressed his intention to take action against what he called “radical left advocates” in education, dismissing them boldly.
A few conditions have to be satisfied to lay down some rules. These conditions involve safeguarding the freedom of expression, eradicating any remnants of the Marxist values that endorse variety, parity, and integration, and enforcing comprehensive assessments for college admissions and graduations to guarantee that students gain expertise and get just rewards for their learning.
Recently, DeSantis launched a legal battle against the Biden administration, arguing that the system of accrediting colleges violates the Constitution. The report from Inside Higher Ed highlighted that students dependent on federal financial support must enroll in an educational facility with official validation.
In recent years, Republicans have seen a decline in their trust and confidence in higher education. Taking a step back, it becomes clear that the broader picture highlights this trend.
In the most recent Gallup survey, it was revealed that the trust level that Americans place in higher education has dropped significantly. Only slightly more than 36% have confidence in this system. That starkly contrasts the findings in 2015, which showed an overall boost in faith in education, surpassing 57%. Interestingly, it is worth mentioning that the most significant decline in trust was recorded among those who self-identify as Republicans.
Over the last eight years, the confidence that Republicans have in higher education has seen a noteworthy decline. Compared to yesteryears, when 56% of Republicans expressed confidence in higher education, the present-day tally stands significantly lower at only 19%. Conversely, Democrats, too, have undergone a decrease in their faith, with 59% showing confidence in 2015, followed by a subsequent dip of 9 points.
In 2017, Gallup conducted several polls among Republicans to determine why they lacked confidence. The dominant sentiment expressed was that colleges display an excessive bias towards liberalism or political agendas.
The looming 2024 presidential election will undoubtedly center on higher education. Its importance as a decisive factor should be considered.
Among Democrats in the past month, fury has been stirred by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to invalidate President Biden’s initial student loan discount plan.
Among the things we are witnessing right now, the Republicans are making a lot of noise, primarily because of politics. Still, there is a clear focus from right-leaning think tanks and some decision-makers on making sure that colleges take responsibility for the success of their students.
One can discover the convergence of these two objectives within the realm of accreditation reforms.
Republicans have traditionally seen education as a pathway towards work readiness and job security,” states Beth Akers, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
According to her, they see this as a chance to impose a sense of duty they’ve been endorsing. However, they needed more resolve to chase after it actively.
Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.
