Lucas Jiang ‘26
On February 14, the Trump administration escalated its sweeping education reforms, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to public schools nationwide to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or risk losing federal funding. This directive marks Trump’s latest move in a broader agenda to combat “gender ideology” and dismantle federal oversight of education.
Overview of Trump’s Education Reforms
1. DEI Program Elimination
The Department of Education demands the removal of all DEI-related curricula, training, and initiatives from public schools, citing concerns about "radical indoctrination." Schools failing to comply face immediate cuts to federal support, which is approximately 11% of public K-12 school funding. Critics argue removing topics such as race and gender from the curriculum undermines efforts to address systemic inequities, while supporters claim it returns focus to "core academics."
2. Abolishing the Department of Education
Central to Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint endorsed by Trump, is the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The administration has already begun transferring ED responsibilities to other agencies, such as Health and Human Services (HHS), though experts warn this could disrupt critical services for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Title I funding, which provides $18 billion annually to schools serving low-income communities, is slated to phase out entirely within a decade.
3. Expanding School Choice
Trump’s administration is also set to repurpose discretionary federal funds to bolster school choice programs. The executive order instructs federal agencies to redirect money toward private school vouchers and scholarship programs that give parents greater freedom in selecting educational options for their children. “Traditional public schools have failed many students, and it’s time to open up opportunities for every child to attend the school that best fits their needs,” the order states.
Impact on St. Mark’s
St. Mark’s places a great emphasis on its DEI program and celebrates the diversity of its students and faculty. Various affinity groups including BLU, ASEA, Los Leones, GSA, and CFG provide a sense of community for people of distinct ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. Critical topics revolving around race and gender also make frequent appearances throughout the curriculum. The new policies of the Trump administration could cause changes to the central Episcopolian principles of St. Mark’s as well as its admissions process in the future.
An interview with Mr. DaSilva, the acting Dean of Students and Director of Community and Equity Affairs, shed some light on the potential impacts of Trump’s policies on the school. He emphasized the importance of remaining independent, especially financially independent, to continue practicing its core ideologies: “St. Mark’s is very happy that it’s independent. I think it is really important that we have a choice over who we invite to join our community… and what we choose to teach and celebrate in the school.”
Despite the school’s independence, Mr. DaSilva expressed some concerns over the usage of federal vouchers. On one hand, it could grant St. Mark’s a greater and more diversified applicant pool by lowering the price tags on private schools. On the other hand, siphoning federal funds from public schools risks degrading the caliber of its applicants, many of which attend public middle schools. Admitting students with federal vouchers may also reduce St. Mark’s valued autonomy, to which he responded by reiterating the significance of maintaining financial independence.
Ultimately, the extent of which these policies will be enforced is unclear as the nation heads towards, as some put it, a more autocratic regime. St. Mark's School navigates these potential federal education reforms by prioritizing its autonomy to maintain control over admissions, curriculum, and community standards. Its commitment to independence and a strong, mission-driven board enables it to chart its own course amid a shifting educational landscape.