Last week we wrote about Trump’s plan for education in the United States using his campaign web page as reference.
A large part of Trump’s education plan is the “American Academy.” He explains it in this video posted on “X.”
One of the most interesting parts of this plan is the idea that large universities endowments need to be taxed, particularly in this era of ridiculously high college tuition. Here are the top ten endowments in the U.S. by university: (this data was by September 30, 2022.)
Many schools use these endowments for various purposes, such as scholarships to some students, new buildings, financial assistance to deserving students, etc.
At the same time, in the last 20 years, college tuition and fees have increased by 42% for private national universities. Out of state tuition and fees have increased by 32%. In-state tuition and fees at public National Universities have grown about 45%.
See 20 Years of Tuition Growth at National Universities
In the past decade, student debt has increased by 66%. Of course, part of this is the mere availability of student loans to students who may or may not have the ability to pay them back after graduation. We give hundreds of thousands of dollars to kids who couldn’t pass a credit check to buy a used car.
Trump’s idea of an alternative method for college courses is nothing new on the education scene. Many schools offer online education courses, many for post grad degrees. The new part is that this would be funded and sanctioned by the federal government. As Trump says, he would tax the huge endowments of big universities to pay for this program. Whether the plan works remains to be seen. But the promise is there.
Certainly, an online delivery system can’t be the only way courses can be conducted. As we all saw during Covid, effective education must be delivered with a combination of distance learning and in person teaching.
The critical issue will be making sure the educational product is excellent and provided by top notch teachers and professors. As Trump found out with his Trump University, the devil is in the details! Anything less than a well-structured system will reduce the credibility of the program, free or not.
Imagine that a young person could get an elite level education without having to suffer through the selection process, expense, and indoctrination of an elite university? They could also get a world class apprenticeship as well. The Academy could definitely disrupt the stranglehold of the elite education class on the minds, opportunities and financial future of young people.
Imagine learning in a college class where the professor isn’t demanding you adopt a particular political agenda and then grading you on whether you do or not.
Just real, honest, education. That’s what our students deserve.
Agenda47: The American Academy | Agenda47 | Donald J. Trump
Student loan debt statistics in 2024
Jan Greenhawk, Author
Jan Greenhawk is a former teacher and school administrator for over thirty years. She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Maryland. She also spent over twenty-five years coaching/judging gymnastics and coaching women’s softball.
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